Planning Board Minutes December 14, 2006
Members Present: Brian Puntin, Cindy Hoogs, Janet Cathcart, Laurily Epstein, Maggie Leonard
Called to order at 7:07 pm
Laurily Epstein complimented Maggie Leonard for her good writing. Laurily had conversed with a man from Otis who said he loved the Monterey news and even gets multiple copies because of the planning board report.
Cindy Hoogs stated that the West Stockbridge bylaws have exceptional coverage of common driveways. Maggie Leonard said that she would get a copy.
Minutes from 12/07/06 were read, corrected, and approved.
Common Driveway conversation bubbled up. Brian Puntin asked when are new subdivison roads accepted by the town and Maggie Leonard said never. Janet Cathcart wondered are there standards set or enforced on driveways and the answer was no.
Maggie Leonard reported that Rob Hoogs gave a seminar last Wednesday at the Lee library on variances. Don Torrico stated that it was extremely helpful and recommended that the selectboard, ZBA, and planning board schedule one. Planning board is in favor of this idea and will encourage its occurrence.
Read and sign letters to Land Court and Registry of Deeds for Subdivison amendments. Majority present.
Maggie Leonard reported on discussion with Town Counsel Jerome Scully concerning dock lots. Last meeting Janet Cathcart wondered whether dock lot control falls under subdivision control. Answer was no. That would be something for the zoning bylaw.
Janet Cathcart pointed out that a land-based dock requires a building permit, but if it is floating in the water DEP opines.
Discussion on whether a dock lot sold to a person resulting in a secondary use without a primary use structure would be possible, or if the Planning Board would have control over that.
Janet Cathcart wondered what it is we would want to regulate concerning lakeshore lots. What does the Planning Board want to have more regulation over? Common driveways and dock or lake access lots are two examples.
Brian Puntin speculated on the idea of dock lot density regulations as a mechanism for regulating dock lots.
Laurily E recommended that we contact Dr. Matthew Mandel who is on the board of the Stockbridge Bowl to ask what their regulations on dock lots.
Berkshire Regional Planning Committee rewrote Master Plan scope of work with respect to deliverables. They had been initially cautious because they were not sure who’s responsible for what. How many volunteers will work on it? How many people will be on the proposal commission?
All members took time to read through the Scope of Work proposal.
Janet Cathcart wondered if the Planning Board is the Master Plan planning committee. Maggie Leonard answered that the Planning Board must make that decision. Laurily Epstein felt that the Planning Board was the most appropriate group. Brian agreed that the Planning Board should be the core group, and that it would also be a perpetual work in progress. Discussion over who should be asked to help the Planning Board.
Janet Cathcart felt that their scope of work includes structure that is very necessary and helpful.
Brian Puntin left at 8:15.
Laurily Epstein and Cindy Hoogs said that they would join Maggie Leonard to meet with BRPC. Janet Cathcart said that while she couldn’t make a commitment she was interested and would try to join them.
Janet Cathcart proposed a letter to the Assessor’s office itemizing the kind of information she would like to see coming out of their database that could be used in the master plan. She currently has been asking questions case by case, and wants to write a letter with all of the items instead.
Cindy Hoogs made motion to accept the agreement and have Maggie deliver the agreement to BRPC. All accepted.
Brian Puntin arrived at 8:29.
Maggie Leonard passed around the Lee bylaw on common driveways. Lee states that no more than two houses can be present on a common driveway. Janet Cathcart felt that sometimes a common driveway is appropriate. She thought Planning Board would want case-by-case discretion.
Maggie described difference between road frontage and access, and further, acceptable access and access that is illusory. Brian Puntin pointed out that most access is acceptable. With enough money and paperwork wetlands can be moved, obstacles can be overcome.
Janet Cathcart said that we would need to invent new bylaws to deal with common driveways. Currently common driveways need not be presented to the Planning Board. Cindy Hoogs wondered why we are looking at these things currently since we will be waiting for West Stockbridge bylaws. At that point there can be further discussion.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55.
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