MINUTES OF THE
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
HELD JANUARY 23, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Patricia Halpin, John Baker, Karen Paré, Lawrence Salate, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: None
D & S REALTY: COMPLETION OF AS-BUILT REVIEW
By letter dated January 16, 2008, VHB completed its review of the as-built plans submitted by D&S Realty for the construction of a parking lot at 127 Hartwell Street. There were no outstanding problems with the as-built plans and VHB recommended acceptance of same. Ms. Halpin will compose a letter of completion, with a copy for the Building Inspector.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Planning Board meeting originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 26th has been changed to Tuesday, March 25th.
Ms. Halpin will request that Planning Board members receive keys to the municipal offices so that they can continue to have access to the Planning Board office at nights and on the weekends when they are available to continue to review plans and sign necessary documents.
There will be no inspection reports this evening,
DISCUSSION OF DEFINITION OF ‘CHANGE OF USE’
Site Plan Review (“SPR”) criteria were discussed by the Board following review of Zoning Bylaws from several neighboring towns and in anticipation of the public hearing to be held next month when clarification to the language for change of use is to be discussed. Ms. Paré noted that the Zoning Bylaws concerning criteria for SPR for West Boylston appear lenient in comparison to other towns. The point of SPR, she stated, is to review a property
Minutes of the Meeting 2.
January 23, 2008
if changes to it are significant. Mr. Baker agreed and added that the purpose of the review is to assure that developers are being good neighbors. Mr. Vignaly emphasized that it is
important to be consistent in deciding what to review and how to review it. Mr. Baker suggested that the language for West Boylston’s criteria be “any change of use requiring any 15 spaces” for the sake of clarification. Ms. Paré added that a change from one sub-category to another in the Use Regulation section of the bylaws should require SPR. Town Counsel reviewed the Schedule of Use as well as the 2003 Change of Use memo written by the Planning Board. Keep the language as simple as possible, Mr. Baker stated, but he added that 15 or more spaces will have too much impact on a small town. Ms. Halpin suggested that it is time to write an “As I See It” letter to The Banner so that people in town understand the role of the Planning Board and the necessity for SPR and how
it protects property owners. This town is conservative in regards to its desire for development, Mr. Baker stated. Surveys have indicated a wish on the part of the majority of homeowners not to want change.
MINUTES/BILLS
Upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Mr. Salate, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the January 9, 2008 Planning Board Meeting, as well as the Minutes of the January 9, 2008 Public Hearing for Proposed Changes to the Zoning Bylaws for the CCRC Overlay District and Minutes for Proposed Changes to the Zoning Bylaws for Language Concerning ZBA Membership, also dated January 9, 23008. Upon motion of Ms. Paré, and second of Mr. Salate, at 10:05 p.m., it was unanimously voted to adjourn.
Date Accepted:___________ By:_________________________
Submitted By:_________________________
Susan Abramson
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