Meeting Minutes Approved as written, 3/20/2013
Planning Board
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Newbury Town Hall
Members Present: Kathleen Pearson, Chair; Linda McCamic; John O’Connell; David Powell; John Weis; George Morse (Associate Member)
Staff Present: Martha Taylor, Town Planner
Kathleen Pearson, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Motion: A motion was made by D. Powell and seconded by L. McCamic to approve the meeting minutes of February 6, 2013 as written. The motion passed unanimously.
- Revisions to Subdivision Rules and Regulations:
The Board reviewed and commented on the most recent draft of Article IV of the Subdivision Rules and Regulations. Article V will be reviewed at the next meeting.
- Proposed Zoning Amendments for the Annual Town Meeting:
- Boundary Changes: The Board discussed the March 2 workshop on the proposed boundary changes and noted that no major concerns had been expressed by the attendees. The Board agreed to proceed with the boundary changes as proposed. David Mountain, Selectman, suggested taking a look at wetlands issues in the Pearson Plaza area which might have an impact on development potential in the expanded district being considered. M. Taylor will follow up.
- Use Regulations: As a follow up to input from a resident whose property will be in the reconfigured Business & Light Industrial district, the Board discussed changing “Customary home occupation” from Not Permitted to Permitted in this district.
Motion: A motion was made by J. Weis and seconded by L. McCamic to change “Customary home occupation” from Not Permitted to Permitted in the Business & Light Industrial District. The motion passed unanimously
In response to feedback from the Building Inspector, the Board also agreed to remove the word “structures” from the “Open Storage” use descriptions.
- Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations: Revisions to the draft solar installation by-law were reviewed. J. O’Connell noted that typical noise limits are 10 dB above ambient. This will be added to the noise provisions in the draft by-law.
- Accessory Apartment By-Law: The Board reviewed and approved additional changes to the revised Accessory Apartment By-Law clarifying square footage requirements for the primary and accessory dwelling units and adding provisions for waiver of strict compliance.
Motion: A motion was made by J. O’Connell and seconded by J. Weis to approve the amended draft of the revised Accessory Apartment By-Law. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board of Selectmen has referred the zoning articles back to the Planning Board for public hearing. The Board set a public hearing date of April 3, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.
Motion: A motion was made by J. Weis and seconded by D. Powell to hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning amendments on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. at Newbury Town Hall. The amendments include:
- Changes to the boundaries of a) the Business & Light Industrial District, b) the Byfield Village District, and c) the portion of the Commercial Highway District on Central Street at Pearson Plaza, and related map revisions
- Revisions to the Table of Use Regulations in Article III – Regulations of Use Districts
- Revisions to the Accessory Apartment By-Law in Article X – General Regulations
- Addition of a by-law pertaining to Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations
The motion passed unanimously.
- Minimum First Floor Elevations on Plum Island:
D. Mountain was present to discuss the question he raised at a recent Selectmen’s meeting regarding the appropriate minimum first floor elevation for structures in the velocity zone and elsewhere on Plum Island. It was suggested that a study group be formed to review this question and determine if changes should be made to Newbury’s zoning and/or other regulations for structures in flood zones.
On a motion made by J. Weis and seconded by J. O’Connell, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Taylor
Town Planner
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