PLANNING BOARD
JUNE 24, 2008 - 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: John Fallender; Clerk: Paul O'Connor; Kenneth McKusick; Sims McGrath; Associates: Gary Guzzeau; John Ostman. Planning Department Staff: George Meservey. Absent: Vice-Chairman: Seth Wilkinson.
John Fallender requested that Gary Guzzeau vote as a regular member in the absence of Vice Chairman, Seth Wilkinson.
DISCUSSION WITH HERB MONTGOMERY (ORLEANS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) REGARDING ORLEANS SIGN BYLAWS
The Planning Board held a discussion with Herbert Montgomery and Mary Corr from the Orleans Chamber of Commerce regarding the relaxing the existing Orleans Sign Bylaw for businesses in town. Montgomery stated an opinion and gave examples of sign regulations that seem to be inconsistently regulated or where businesses have not been allowed to have clearer advertisement. Montgomery questioned whether better signage could be erected for the Skaket Beach Motel since the construction of the new Lots Hollow Road to avoid confusion for motel customers. Montgomery stated that business owners want to be allowed to have bigger signs and promote more foot traffic in the Village Center District. Montgomery stated that the Chamber of Commerce has plans to assemble a “task force” to go into the
community and talk to business owners and would like to have future discussions with the Planning Board about what works and doesn’t work in the community to promote businesses.
McGrath noted that this issue has come up before and offered to head up a subcommittee to the Planning Board to review and address the issue of possible changes to the sign regulations. McGrath noted the need to keep all proposed changes in the Village Center District in keeping with the intended character of the downtown as expressed by resident voters and the Orleans Comprehensive Plan. McGrath stated that need for the Chamber of Commerce businesses to explain the problems with the current code and what changes would be helpful. McKusick offered work with McGrath on a sign bylaw committee. McKusick noted that past complaints have been received regarding sign enforcement, and questioned whether it would be advisable for the Planning Board to meet with the Building Inspector regarding enforcement
issues he has encountered. Ostman questioned whether the sign bylaw review task force should be made up of Planning Board members as well as Chamber of Commerce members. McGrath suggested a workshop for reviewing the fundamental aspects of the bylaw. John Ostman offered to serve on both the Planning Board task force and the Chamber of Commerce task force in order to coordinate the planning process. Guzzeau suggested putting up business information at kiosks in town.
CONSENSUS: There was a consensus of the Planning Board to assemble a group after the summer season (such as a September meeting) at the request of the Chamber of Commerce.
MOTION: On a motion by Paul O'Connor, seconded by Sims McGrath, the Planning Board voted to form a task force to be made up of Planning Board members and Chamber of Commerce members to review the sign bylaw.
VOTE: 5-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
REGIONAL POLICY PLAN UPDATE
Meservey gave a report on the reformulation of the new Regional Policy Plan. Meservey noted that the new plan effectively breaks out the regulatory functions from the planning functions. Meservey stated that the intent of the Cape Cod Commission with the new plan is to bring it into conformity with the findings of the 21st Century Task Force. Meservey stated that it is the intent of the Cape Cod Commission to rely on the Land Use Vision Map. Meservey noted the option for local towns to have more flexible thresholds for Development of Regional Impacts. Meservey stated that the Cape Cod Commission will be seeking official endorsement by the Planning Board of the Land Use Map. Meservey noted the affordable housing mitigation requirement that would be in place for future
large projects in town.
Meservey reiterated the following four main Cape Cod Commission changes to the Regional Policy Plan: 1) Separating the planning functions; 2) Land use map; 3) Option for different Development of Regional Impact thresholds in different parts of town; and 4) More readable/understandable mitigation requirements.
Fallender noted that the Orleans Comprehensive Plan is currently in compliance with the previous Regional Policy Plan until the year 2011 or 2012 (5 years from when it was accepted by the Cape Cod Commission). McKusick noted that if the Planning Board accepts the Cape Cod Commission Land Use Map, the Development of Regional Impact threshold could change from 10,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet in the economic center. McKusick noted the requirement for a regional adoption of the Land Use Vision Map, and a local endorsement of the town’s component of the map. McKusick commented that the town may seek to modify the Commission threshold to review the Development of Regional Impact.
McGrath questioned the whether selective Development of Regional Impact referrals or referrals of selective topics to the Cape Cod Commission for technical assistance would still be an option for a town without adequate knowledge on certain topics. Meservey responded that the Cape Cod Commission is currently advertising for a Director to provide technical assistance to communities for traffic issues, GIS, and water resources. Meservey stated that towns would be able to avail themselves of the discretionary Development of Regional Impact in order to make sure the Cape Cod Commission can protect the town’s interests with regards to certain impacts.
OLD BUSINESS
Population and Demographics
The Planning Board discussed various charts and graphs of town population information and noted the decline in residents and the school enrollment. The Planning Board discussed how population fluctuations affect the current and future need for municipal services. Planning Board members discussed hook-ups and water use information from the Water Department and tax records from the Assessor’s Office, and tried to determine the demographics and growth impacts on the town.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 10, 2008
MOTION: On a motion by Paul O'Connor, seconded by Sims McGrath, the Board voted to approve the minutes of June 10, 2008.
VOTE: 5-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Board meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
SIGNED: ______________________________ DATE: _______________________
(Paul O'Connor, Clerk)
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