Monterey Planning Board
February 15, 2007
Minutes of the Meeting
Members Present: Brian Puntin, Cindy Hoogs, Janet Cathcart, Laurily Epstein, Maggie Leonard, Stephen Rose
Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm.
The meeting began with Judy Hayes of addressStreet29 Tyringham Road asking for advice on a proposed addition to her house. All members brainstormed and advice ranged from what the language on her variance request should be to changes that should be made for the building plan.
Stephen Rose arrived at 7:07
The minutes from 2/8/07 amended and approved.
Maggie Leonard announced that she will run for the PB again, but will not be seeking chair.
The question of how is road frontage on a cul-de-sac measured in the Monterey Zoning Bylaw was brought up from David Hellman for Judy Bach's proposed subdivision through Maggie Leonard.
Answer is, straight lines, not measuring the curve of the cul-de-sac. From the Zoning Town Bylaws book, page 19 footnote d, "Frontage to be measured in a straight line between the two side lot lines."
Maggie brought out different plans from around town and a ruler to compare existing cul-de-sacs with existing lot lines. This was to make sure old sub-division plans demonstrate what the PB understood as the rule.
Stephen wondered if a single line or multiple straight lines were allowed. In at least one plan it appeared that two straight lines (three connected points within the two side lot lines) were necessary to acquire the frontage requirement of 200 feet.
Some more thought around the Select Board's recommendation that there be a Special Town Meeting in June to deal with Zoning issues exclusively. Maggie Leonard reported that they would like the PB to take up the tele-communications change this year. Our reservations were mentioned, and they said that they still hope that we make the change.
PB then decided it was worth a try, although there was some concern around whether a town quorum would show (15 people).
Cindy Hoogs recommended that it be on a weeknight, instead of a weekend since the town would be coming out for the already scheduled May meeting. She also felt that the need for a separate meeting should be made on a year-to-year basis.
Stephen Rose wondered if all Select Board members agreed with this decision or not.
The community conversation covering the kindergarten was discussed.
Laurily thought that it was wonderful. She found it interesting, there was clear sentiment in favor of keeping a school. She liked the statement Franny Huberman made for her children.
Janet found it great and hoped that two things came through clearly. First is that she doesn't think the town has been standing up for the school, and secondly why will it be any different now? Who will ask the hard questions? Laurily agreed saying that there wasn't a clear idea of how to fix the problem. Brian made the point that even though it wasn't clear what the next steps would be, the overall consensus was that a school in placeCityMonterey is desired.
Some members were pleased with the high turnout number and that some were new people that they had never met before.
Maggie found Dick Tryon's account of old-time school very interesting. Back when there were 11 schools in placeCityMonterey there was a picture of one with their five students standing with the teachers.
Laurily reported talking with The Wilson-Mclaughlin group about a multiple use community center. There aren't many kids and the general store might have to become a seasonal store. placeCityMonterey isn't fulfilling some of the more ambiguous needs of the town.
The third draft of the Common Driveways [CD] was reviewed. Cindy Hoogs recommended a slight change, adding the Conservation Commission as being part of the group receiving CD permits. This increases the number of copies required from four to five. She also proposed that a copy of the CD bylaws be given to town counsel and to Maynard for input.
Maggie Leonard brought up for discussion that the wireless telecommunications [WT] bylaw should be changed immediately. The current bylaw states that WT structures must be on land "within a one-quarter (1/4) mile radius of the summit of placePlaceTypeMount PlaceNameWilcox". As that is state land though, nothing of the sort can be constructed there.
Janet Cathcart asked why do we want an internet tower? Maggie's answer was so that the whole town can have high speed internet access. Janet pointed out that we almost have full DSL access. Maggie responded that one problem is that we might be facilitating a monopoly and also that we shouldn't have bylaws that don't mean anything. Some action is necessary.
Stephen stated that a consultant should be hired to help us with this bylaw. Janet agreed saying that more information is necessary instead of just listening to a contractor that says that we need what they are proposing. Stephen then proposed that a site visit of different towers, specifically Wi-Springs, would be a good idea so that the PB could get an idea of what they would look like.
The next Community Conversation selected is Natural Resource and Open Space set for April 17 (Tuesday) at 7 pm. Janet Cathcart proposed that a subcommittee meeting be held to talk about open spaces and natural resources and report back to the PB.
Meeting adjourned at 9:02
Sincerely, Jason Dunlop
Planning Board Secretary
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