Salem Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
January 7, 2009
A special meeting of the Salem Planning Board was held on January 7, 2009, at 8:50 p.m. in Room 312, Third Floor, at 120 Washington Street, Salem, Massachusetts.
Those present were: Chuck Puleo, John Moustakis, Pam Lombardini, Dave Weiner, Christine Sullivan, Tim Ready. Also present were: Lynn Duncan, Director, Danielle McKnight, Staff Planner and Stacey Dupuis, Clerk. Absent: Nadine Hanscom, Gene Collins, Tim Kavanaugh,
Discussion and Vote- Recommendation to City Council on revised Zoning Amendment to allow planned unit development (PUD) in the Business Park Development District with restrictions.
Chuck Puleo questioned section 7.3.3, ‘Uses’, on page 56, “all uses or any combination thereof”. Lynn Duncan explained that it could be any combination of uses (commercial, residential, etc).
In regards to Councillor O’Keefe’s suggestion to change “floors” to “stories”, Planning Board members discussed whether 4 stories and 4 floors are the same. Lynn Duncan believes that 50 ft. is the maximum for height in this zone, regardless of number of stories.
Christine Sullivan reminded everyone of the possibility that the exclusion of PUD from BPD areas was simply an omission from years ago. Lynn Duncan points out that PUD is allowed in Salem industrial districts, which may indicate it was originally supposed to be permitted in BPD too.
John Moustakis thinks feels that if the amendment passes, the Planning Department will have a tool to make projects better or reject them.
Christine Sullivan added that she resents the strip mall on Canal St., which came about because of the way the area is zoned. It’s bad planning and a bad move on an entrance corridor. She thinks having Lowe’s/WalMart is essential for Salem (retail).
Tim Ready feels that Walmart and Lowe’s is important but that this project is a much bigger than that. The bigger issue is a proposal on more development. Without this amendment, developers coming into the city will be frustrated by the current zoning.
A motion was made by Dave Weiner the amendment to say “4 stories, not to exceed 50 ft”, seconded by Christine Sullivan and approved (6-0).
Tim Ready pointed out that at the Joint Meeting with the City Council, there was some rhetoric about the Planning Board. He feels the Planning Board operates with great transparency and full disclosure.
There being no further comments on this matter, Dave Weiner made motion to make a favorable recommendation to the City Council, including the amendment to height restriction, seconded and approved (6-0).
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Planning Board this evening, a motion was made by John Moustakis to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Pam Lombardini and approved (6-0)
The meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Stacey Dupuis, Clerk
Salem Planning Board
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