Planning Board minutes for public hearing Thursday March 12, 2015
Attendance:
Roger Tryon
Scott Jenssen
Knn Basler
Tom Sawyer
Larry Kline
Don Torrico
Start public Meeting at 7:02
Larry Kline – open meeting as chair.
Larry Read Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaw 5th Draft
Public Attendance:
Mickey Jervis
Mary Makuc
Muriel Lazzarini
Don Torrico
Peter Vallianos
Bob Lazzarini
Kay Purcell
Discussion:
1. Concern over 200 ft of frontage due to land locked Lot.
a. Don indicated that that could be covered by a variance
2. Increase the limitation of 650 square feet to allow for better accomodations for the disabled. (ex. ADA recommendations for a bathroom)
a. Suggest 1000 sq ft as an alternative
b. Don distributed his example of an ADU Bylaw.
3. Why is the board concerned with the peoples finances. Should there be any limits to the size of an ADU
4. Gross square feet is the sum of all surfaces of a building…… (Larry’s Definition)
5. The space limitation if any should only apply to habitable space.
6. Monterey should make their own definition of gross square footage to make sure it matches with the intent of our bylaw.
7. Suggestion to call the bylaw not an ADU but a secondary dwelling unit.
8. Should the ADU be required to be attached? If it is not attached then it is creating 1 acre zoning.
9. The law could potentially create approximately 400 rental units in town that could change the character of the town. Advocate a size of 1300 to alleviate this.
10. How many buildings can go on a lot? Don indicated 20% coverage is the limit.
a. The 20 % could be approached with or without the ADU law.
11. Agreement with that the law should be by right as long as it passes the building codes.
12. Board of appeals should have a say if someone is going to build a separated ADU on their property. Special permit for each case.
13. Feel that the 2 acre and 200 foot frontage should exclude from special permit.
14. Detrimental is a subjective term that could excessively limit the application of this bylaw. People should have rights for their own land.
15. Why is it the town’s business on how a person splits up their house into an ADU? Or have input on how many square feet each unit would be.
a. Suggest that if the ADU is in an existing dwelling then the size limit does not apply.
16. When does the department of health get involved? (Do you mean Board of Health?)
17. Small house penalty – The current ADU causes this.
18. Should the zoning board be allowed to have input on the location on the lot where the accessory dwelling unit goes?
a. Is the ADU required to have a setback form the original building? No.
19. Would it make sense to increase setbacks for the detached secondary unit?
20. Encourage the secondary unit to be built close to the original dwelling unit.
21. Does the secondary unit have it’s own utility connection? (electric)
22. Code already calls for two parking spaces for each dwelling unit. Should it be omitted for the ADU?
23. Expressed support for cluster dwellings.
24. Have council review the conversion of multiple family dwelling. (does it mean three or more)Call it what it is See Don Torrico’s notes.
25. Add language for a single driveway
26. Would there be a benefit to have the stairs on the rear of the building?
27. Intent is to make any ADU consistent with the building code.
Don Torrico left several handouts:
Quicknotes on Accessory Dwelling Units
Accessory Dwelling Units: Case Study
Public hearing closed at 8:05
Start Balance of the meeting
Review of 2/12 Minutes
Spelling of Salomon to be corrected.
Approved with correction
Discussion of Public Hearing between the board.
Good turn out with good input on possibly increasing the size limits.
This could lead to possibility of incentives from the state.
The next draft should be in alignment with Don Torrico.
The board present likes the idea of dropping the percentage limitation and potentially increasing the size limit to 1000 or possibly more.
What is the assesors view on an ADU?
Don can run the next version through Jeremiah Pollard (Town Attorney)
Read the mail
- Great Barrington town meeting notice on Historic preservation for changes to village overlay district.
- Notice of town hearing for the town of Otis
- Great Barrington Public hearing notice planning board hearing on zoning bylaw changes.
- Regionla planning commission news letter
Adjourn at 8:40
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