TOWN OF PRINCETON
PLANNING BOARD --- Regular Meeting --- June 19, 2013
7:30 PM The meeting was opened by Chairman Tom Daly. Present were: Jon Fudeman, Richard Bisk, John Mirick and Ann Neuburg.
Administrative Business
Board voted all in favor to approve June 5 regular meeting minutes with John M. abstaining because he was not present. The board reviewed mail.
7:35 PM Larry Greene came in for the landscape architect firm Thompson-Liston Assoc. of Boylston for an informal chat and preliminary presentation of a new site plan for NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dogs Services) on Redemption Rock Trail. He explained that the activities of the organization have changed, and have scaled down somewhat, as the actual dog training is no longer done onsite, although the dog/owner training will continue as the main focus, with the disabled individuals lodged for a two-week stint. More lodging units are being proposed, with re-arranging of some buildings along with added parking and other site work.
7:52 PM Charlie and Deb Cary came in to discuss options for using their “guesthouse” next to their main (historic) home at 16 Merriam Road. Board members contended that it could meet the definition of an accessory apartment under Section XVII, 1. B), (2) or it could be separated from the main house on its own lot with both lots apparently still meeting legal zoning dimensions. The Carys didn’t want to use it as an accessory apartment at this time, only to use it themselves on a seasonal basis, alternating with living either there or in their main house. They were advised to check with Building Inspector John Wilson about options for renovating the guest house or expanding its footprint.
8:10 PM Board members discussed the Worcester Road project and results/input from the previous two public meetings, after Jon F. recused himself from participating as a Planning Board member, as he is a resident of that neighborhood. While the southern portion of the Worcester Road corridor is zoned “business,” it is actually almost all residential use, so there is a potential for changing it to residential zoning. However, it was noted that a number of homeowners in the business-zoned district do not want to see their neighborhood change zoning in a way that would restrict any (commercial/business) uses that are currently allowed. Tom D. pointed out that people perceive the business zone as adding to the market value of their properties, but that may be untenable. John M. suggests that
potential zoning changes should be considered as small segments and taken in small steps, and deal with the north and south portions separately. There may be a possibility for the area from Hickory Drive and P.O. Place, going north, to gain approval for an overlay district at the town meeting. An overlay could also include multifamily housing. The board discussed ways to incorporate design to use landscaping and architectural criteria to create buffers and get parking away from the road. The board also considered the options in defining a zoning district’s boundaries, and how the current one, set a couple hundred feet back from the roadway, encourages strip malls close to the road. Tom D. suggested getting photos or drawings of examples of village districts, from Vera Kolias or Judy Barrett at CMRPC. John M. offered to put together zoning options that reflect a piecemeal approach to an overlay or a zoning change.
9 PM All voted in favor to adjourn.
Respectfully Submitted: Marie Auger, Administrative Assistant
Referenced Documents:
NEADS site plan; photos and layout diagrams of Cary property
Marie Auger
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
978-464-2100
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