WELLESLEY PLANNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009, 7:00 PM
GREAT HALL-TOWN HALL
MINUTES
Planning Board Present: Mr. McCauley, Ms. Wasser, Ms. Donahue, and Mr. Chan
Staff Present: Ms. Jop, Mr. Zehner, Mr. Parsons
Also Present: Steve Sykes, Judi Barrett, Glenn Garber
1. Recodification- COG (Community Opportunities Group)
Ms. Judi Barrett and Mr. Glenn Garber returned to the Board for continued review of the Zoning Bylaw recodification.
Ms. Jop noted the existing version of the Flood Plain Bylaw should be added back in to the draft, because FEMA has asked the Town to hold off for another year before making the mandatory updates to the Flood Plain Zoning.
Ms. Barrett began the discussion by asking the Board whether submission requirements should be in the Zoning Bylaw (ZBL) or should be removed from the zoning and placed into rules and Regulations.
The Board decided that performance studies or standards should remain in the ZBL but the remaining submission requirements could be removed.
Ms. Wasser asked for clarification on the legal impact of Rules and Regulations. She questioned the difference between rules and regulations and zoning provisions. Ms. Barrett indicated rules and regulations are implemented through a relationship between the state statute and the zoning regulations and discuss process and submission materials.
Ms. Donahue suggested a two tiered approach to the recodification. The first tier would be a simple reorganization of the existing ZBL, and the second tier would outline the substantive changes proposed. Ms. Wasser agreed.
Ms. Barrett indicated uses, dimensional standards, and basics of process shall remain within the ZBL, and submission and approval requirements shall be exported.
Ms. Jop suggested a small survey be sent out to Town Meeting Members to determine overarching issues with the current zoning.
Mr. McCauley did not want to send out a survey, and was concerned a survey would confuse Town Meeting Members who have not been part of the process to date.
Ms. Barrett questioned if the Drainage Section needed to remain in the ZBL or could be part of Stormwater Regulations. The Board decided to retain Drainage within the ZBL.
Mr. McCauley suggested removing the Cluster Development revisions from the draft. He noted Cluster Development should not be part of the recodification, but should be a separate matter decided by Town Meeting. Ms. Barrett noted the Town Meeting did approve a form of Cluster Development and it is part of the existing ZBL. She suggested retaining the provision, but altering the provision to a new standard that works.
The Board noted a new Retaining Wall Bylaw was passed at the Special Town Meeting held on November 16th.
Ms. Barrett questioned whether the Board would like to see definitions as a separate section. The Board indicated that would be helpful.
Ms. Barrett stated she and Mr. Garber had looked at altering Articles 8 Development Regulations and Article 9 Special Regulations but had some difficulty separating out the processes.
Mr. McCauley suggested separating out Off Street Parking, Signs, and Development Regulations into one section and Special Regulations and Special Processes into another it might be helpful.
Ms. Barrett suggested placing provisions such as the build factor, 500 foot rule, and maximum lot coverage into an appendix. Mr. Chan stated he was fine with an appendix as long as it was clearly cross referenced.
The Board continued the discussion of the recodification to Monday, January 11th, with a copy of the revised draft to be received by December 21st.
2. Discuss Proposed Annual Town Meeting Articles
The Board discussed possible articles for the Annual Town Meeting. After a brief discussion, the Board decided to begin work on the Landmark Bylaw, Sign Bylaw, Building Height, Large House Review, and the Project Approval Process.
3. Draft Concord Square Contract
The Board reviewed the draft contract for services with Concord Square Planning and Development to conduct a Land Use Alternative Study for the St. James the Great Property.
4. Draft CVS Inclusionary Special Permit Draft
The Board reviewed the draft special permit for Inclusionary Zoning in relation to the Project of Significant Impact proposed at 990 Worcester Street. The Board had no comments on the draft, and suggested signing the draft at the next public hearing session of the PSI for the CVS project scheduled for December 14th.
Next Meeting: December 7, 2009
Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 p.m.
Approved: January 11, 2010
Meghan C. Jop, AICP
Planning Director
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