Planning Board minutes for Thursday September 10, 2015
I. The meeting was called to order at 7:07.
Members present: Alan Salamon, Pat Salomon, Larry Klein, Roger Tryon, Tom Sawyer, (notes) Maggie Leonard, and Stephen Enoch.
Public present: Marc Cohen, Don Torrico, and Kay Purcell
II. Business from the Public
Kay informed the board that the results of the Berkshire Planning Commissions’ Age Friendly Survey will be presented on September 17, 2015, at Lenox High School at 7 p.m.
Marc Cohen asked, “What happens to the cut trees after the Tree Warden cuts them down?” No one knew the answer. Leonard referred him to the Select Board.
III. Discussion with Building Commissioner
1 – Discussion on size and the Building Comissioners’ (BC) recommendation for a 1000 sq. ft. limit for the dwelling.
2 – Question on the difference between a 2 family dwelling and an ADU. What is the difference between a 2 family and an ADU?
3 – Don suggests calling the units primary dwelling unite (PDU) and secondary dwelling unit (SDU).
4 – Is the 1000 sq. foot too large? Could we limit the ADU to 1 bedroom?
5 – Should we reconsider the By Right provision in the ADU? And require a site plan review? (Detached only requires site review?)
6 – Don Recommends considering a buffer strip consideration for the ADU. Define what is required in the buffer zone.
7 – Question on what size is a typical handicapped accessible bedroom or bathroom – Don did not have a guideline.
8 – What is considered in the square footage? GFA is not defined in the state building code. We should define the GFA re basements/Porches/etc. How is the square footage calculated? Suggested to keep it as short as possible.
9 – Should a site plan review be required for an existing structure?
10 – Amnesty for illegal structures?
IV 70 Tyringham Road
The board reviewed an application for a special permit for stairs constructed in the side setback. There is not enough information to tell if the proposed steps are larger than the original steps, which would increase the nonconformity.
A vote was taken with unanimous decision to issue a letter with this indicated.
V Building Commissioner re: Sign Bylaw
The BC recommended that the appeal of a sign permit should go before ZBA so that the appeal is not being heard in the same place that the permit was denied.
There was discussion regarding if the board should change the amount of time the sign can be posted. The BC requested more definitions should be in the bylaw.
VI General Discussion on Noise Bylaw
VII Identify Issues for planning board vote on ADU
1 – define floor areas space consists of
2 – Define what the maximum size is. (Does the size make it a two family home?)
3 – discuss percentage
4 – Discuss number of bedrooms
5 – what would trigger a site review or special permit? (detached)
6 – discuss buffer zone/parking
7 – Compare the ADU to multi family
8 – do we define it as an ADU or SDU?
9- Review why we are creating the ADU to frame the discussion.
VIII Mail
1 – Great Barrington – public hearing for a small deck near the Williams River
2 – Great Barrington Select Board – Public hearing for a restaurant and deviation from parking regulations.
IX Adjourn at 9:07
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