ORLEANS PLANNING BOARD
April 24, 2007 – Minutes
A meeting of the Orleans Planning Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Nauset Meeting Room at the Orleans Town Hall. Present: Chairman: Sims McGrath; Vice-Chairman: John Fallender; Kenneth McKusick; Clerk: Seth Wilkinson; Associate: Gary Guzzeau. Planning Department: George Meservey; Secretary: Karen Sharpless. Also Present: Board of Selectmen Liaison: Jon Fuller. Absent: Associate: Paul O’Connor.
VILLAGE CENTER PLAN DISCUSSION
The Planning Board discussed the process of preparing a Village Center Master Plan and noted that it has been in the Capital Improvement Plan planning process since 1999 and has now been moved by the Board of Selectmen back to Fiscal Year 2011 without any current plan for funding. The Planning Board reviewed each of the items in the preparation of the Orleans Village Center Master Plan and discussed which of the items could be done in-house and which items would be better served with professional guidance. Meservey noted that Maggie Geist (Association to Preserve Cape Cod) has offered Orleans the services of a landscape architect intern during the summer of 2007. It was noted that the Village Center Master Plan must meet the goals and objectives of the Orleans Comprehensive Plan. McGrath requested
that Meservey coordinate a list of all of the town’s vision statements for review by the Planning Board. It was noted that the town must have a viable Village Center Plan in order to coordinate future wastewater infrastructure. The Planning Board agreed that public input (possibly with the use of a business roundtable) is an important part of the process and suggested that Chamber of Commerce members would be a good source of information. McGrath stated his opinion of the value of professional advice on market analysis and noted the enormous impact that the internet has had on how today’s businesses operate. The Planning Board discussed the importance of determining the balance between new business growth and business re-development. McGrath questioned the feasibility of incorporating smart growth concepts from the Cape Cod Commission and noted that could demonstrate that Orleans has taken the Regional Policy Plan into account.
FORMULA BUSINESSES
The Planning Board discussed an article from Main Street News dated February 2004 entitled, “Protecting Locally Owned Retail: Planning Tools for Curbing Chains and Nurturing Homegrown Businesses, by Stacy Mitchell as well as a zoning article from Nantucket regarding Formula Business Restrictions. The articles pointed to statistics that there are negative impacts on local markets when towns allow large franchises to take over the business districts.
CAPE COD COMMISSION MAPPING WORKSHOP
Meservey reported that in response to the 21st Century Task Force, the Cape Cod Commission has expressed an interest in meeting with the Orleans Planning Board and other town boards to coordinate mapping resources locally and cape-wide by holding a mapping workshop. By participation and providing input to the Regional Policy Plan, Orleans will be able to express opinions which could prevent Orleans from being arbitrarily designated as a Regional Growth Center for the lower Cape.
OLD BUSINESS
Community Preservation Committee
Guzzeau presented the Planning Board with a list of seven projects which will be proposed by the Community Preservation Committee to the Annual Town Meeting voters in May 2007. Guzzeau noted that since more towns have become involved in the Community Preservation Act, the funds will now be available on an annual basis rather than every six months, as in the past.
A discussion ensued whether the Skateboard Park Creation funding request from the Nauset Together We Can Preservation Council is a proper use of Community Preservation Act funds. It was noted that the financial and maintenance responsibilities of the skateboard park should be shared equally by multiple abutting towns, not just Orleans. Jon Fuller noted that the Skateboard Park should be protected from off-hours unauthorized use with the use of an overhead wire cover to prevent the town from liability from kids climbing over the fence. It was noted that it costs the town approximately $5,000 to maintain the skateboard park. Fallender noted that the graffiti at the skateboard park is unsightly and must be cleaned up.
Charter Review Committee
The Planning Board discussed providing input to the Charter Review Committee on the Capital Improvement Plan process. McKusick noted that the Capital Improvement Plan can be a good planning tool and is based over a five year period.
Orleans Comprehensive Plan Recertification
McGrath reported that the Cape Cod Commission voted unanimously to unconditionally recertify the Orleans Comprehensive Plan.
NEW BUSINESS
Chapter 91 – Goose Hummock Shop
Meservey notified the Planning Board that a Chapter 91 Waterways Application has been received for an existing dock at Goose Hummock Marine, located at 13 Old County Road. Wilkinson noted that this application has been under review by the Conservation Commission.
Affordable Housing Committee
Meservey stated that the Affordable Housing Committee would like to obtain input from the Planning Board on the feasibility of tax breaks for developers of affordable housing units. The Planning Board agreed that this would fall under the purview of the Board of Selectmen.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 10, 2007
MOTION: On a motion by John Fallender, seconded by Ken McKusick, the Board voted to approve the minutes of April 10, 2007.
VOTE: 4-0-1 The motion passed by a majority. (Seth Wilkinson abstained).
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: On a motion by Ken McKusick, seconded by John Fallender, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:01 p.m.
VOTE: 5-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
SIGNED: ______________________________ DATE: _______________________
(Seth Wilkinson, Clerk)
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