Wellfleet Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting of April 18, 2007
Town Hall Hearing Room
Present: R. Dennis O’Connell, Chair, Steve Oliver, David Rowell, Barbara Gray, Alfred Pickard, Gerry Parent, Rex Peterson, Assistant Town Administrator
Absent: Ronald Harper
Expedited Permitting. Mr. Peterson discussed his memo of March 16, 2007 to the Planning Board in which he recommended against adopting MGL c.43D, the States new expedited permitting statute. Peterson said that the new statute is designed to allow cities and town to promote commercial and industrial growth by guaranteeing a regulatory decision within 180 days. Peterson stated in his memo, and the Board agreed, that the process did not seem appropriate for Wellfleet and our goals to keep a tight rein on commercial and industrial development. Mr. O’Connell made a motion to ask Mr. Peterson to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen summarizing the discussion of why it was not a good idea for Wellfleet to adopt the statute. Mr. Parent seconded the motion. The Boards vote in
favor of the motion was unanimous (6-0).
ATM Article 34 Recommendation. Mr. O’Connell said that the Planning Board had requested and received clarification in the language of the article that the use of the building would be for a community and cultural center. Following discussion of the condition of the building, and especially the roof, Ms. Gray made a motion to recommend the article. Mr. Pickard seconded the motion. The Boards vote in favor of the motion was unanimous (6-0).
Land Use Draft for Local Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Peterson presented a draft land use section for the update of the Local Comprehensive Plan. The general response to the draft was positive. Ms. Gray, also a member of the Local Comprehensive Planning Committee, said that the LCPC was asking for input from the Planning Board and was not asking for a formal endorsement or approval of the draft. Mr. Rowell suggested looking at the relationship between the number of building permits for new dwellings and the fact that the year-round population has remained the same or decreased slightly.
Gross Hill Road cell tower. Mr. Peterson said that landscape plantings at the site were not being maintained, and that many of the trees and shrubs died. Mr. Peterson suggesting sending a 21-day compliance order to Verizon requesting a new landscape plan and a time line for correcting the situation. The Planning Board suggested that Verizon look at installing Leyland cypress rather than white pine because they would grow faster and be more shade tolerant. The Board also suggested contracting with a Lower Cape landscaper to maintain the plantings. Ms. Gray made a motion to send the 21-day compliance order to Verizon, including a request for a new landscape plan and a maintenance agreement. Mr. Oliver seconded the motion. The Boards vote in favor of the motion was unanimous
(6-0). A copy will be sent to the Inspector of Buildings.
Subdivision Rules and Regulations. Mr. O’Connell announced that he had completed a final draft. Mary Rogers will distribute hard copies to the Board members.
Approval of Minutes. Mr. Parent made a motion to approve the minutes of March 21, 2007 as presented. Mr. O’Connell seconded the motion. The Boards vote in favor of the motion was unanimous (6-0).
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Rex Peterson, Asst. Town Administrator R. Dennis O’Connell, Chair
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