HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - HC - 08/07/2019 n
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Cohasset Harbor Committee Meeting
Cohasset Sailing Club
19 Lighthouse Lane
Cohasset, MA
August 7, 2019
6:30pm
Members Present:
Tim Davis, Chairman
Lorren Gibbons
Paula Curran
Susan Bryant
Barbara Canney
Matt Marr
Tom Norton
Lisa Hewitt Dick
Sean Kenealy—came late
Others Present: Emily Keys-Innis, Harriman
Lauren Masiar, Planning Director
Jason Burtner, CZM
Chairman Tim Davis called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
He welcomed the new members Barbara Canney citizen at large and Paula Curran Cohasset
Yacht club.
Chairman Davis gave a brief history of the Harbor Committee. The Harbor Committee started as
the Cohasset Town Committee over fifty years ago. Three years ago Jack Keniley applied for a
grant from the Seaport Economic Council for a municipal harbor study leading to a Cohasset
Municipal plan. The Board of Selectmen asked that this study be taken on as the Harbor
Planning Group which is different from the Cohasset Master Plan. This committee will continue
on unless there is a bylaw change but the Cohasset Master Plan will not. The Harbor
Committee and Sub-committees are all advisors and any changes, modification, etc. are
recommended and approved by the Board of Selectmen. The harbor plan is advisory and a tool
as you will to raise grant funding for critical work to be done in the harbor.
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Update on Harbor Plan- Emily Keys-Innis updated the committee on the progress of the third
draft and said there are some changes Ms. Innis met with Lauren Masiar, Planning Director,
CZM and DEP on chapter 91 modifications. They are making sure that the Zoning and Harbor
Plan regulations are specific enough and not in conflict. They need to be clear, appropriate and
enforceable. This should be done by August 20th. FMX made some adjustments to appendix A
and Ms. Innis will be in touch with GEI as well. Comments are still being accepted and should
be sent to Lauren Masiar, Planning director by August 23rd
Ms. Innis noted that the proposed walkway was not put in and referred to the colored map to be
added. The map referenced the following:
Pink - Proposed improvement linking downtown to harbor via Elm Street.
Bright Blue —standard walkway width of 10 ft. under chapter 91.
Dark Blue—walkway of 15ft being discussed with Zoning on the harbor side.
Yellow— might be tight for standard 10 ft. under chapter 91.
Not yet written to be added is AG approved zoning-town meeting vote, notice to proceed with
study from DEP and memorandum on how study match requirements.
Chairman Davis spoke to Jackie Dormitzer and she would like the Historic Commission involved
in the harbor walk so there is no duplication.
The proposed schedule is as follows:
- Final appendices and modifications.
- Presentation to the Board of Selectmen on September 24(tentative).
- Harbor Committee to host public meeting.
- Selectmen vote October 8th(tentative).
- Submit to state after Selectmen vote.
- Submit publication in local paper.
- Provide copy of notice to all persons and organizations identified in 301 CMR
23.8(4, (a) & (b).
- Distribute copies of Municipal Harbor Plan in accordance with 301 CMR23.8 (4) (c).
- Publish in Environmental Monitor.
- Public comment period.
- Public Hearing.
- DEP Consultation with Harbor Committee and town Planner.
-Written decision from Secretary.
This is all proposed to be done by February 6, 2020.
Chairman Davis spoke of the Captains walk and how the Historic Commission would like to be
involved. Jackie Dormitzer told Chairman Davis they would like to upgrade the existing one and
wanted to make sure there were duplications. Possible thoughts were to start on the other side
of harbor by the Butlers property and another was a pedestrian bridge from Mill River to
Government Island.
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Harbor Committee Comments-Member Susan Bryant commented that the language for mixed
use might be too specific. Ms. Bryant also stated she found 1.33 appendix (b) to very important
for the future in regards to sea level rise. Member Curran questioned the Yacht Club and a
piece of land by whitehead being commercial. Ms. Innis responded that commercial use is
according to the Town land use, but would look into it further. Chairman Davis pointed out that
other plans over fifty years ago went away and he asked that everyone keep enthusiastic on
moving the forward. The committee is also looking to setup a Facebook page to post
information,
Governance Sub-Committee-Chairman Davis and member Lisa Hewitt Dick have had open
meetings about the best practices for the harbor and waterways. Their next meeting will be on
security. Chairman Davis asked members to think about other Sub-Committees and stressed
the importance of the open meeting law. Infrastructure was one that should be talked about
sooner rather than later.
The Harbor Committee along with others started working on this three years. People need to
work together, prioritize and work on funding this plan. Chairman Davis pointed out that other
plans over fifty years ago went away and he asked that everyone keep enthusiastic to move this
forward.
Public comment- Kathy Desjourdy asked if 3.6(edges) and 4.1(land) actions on the plan could
be lumped together. Ms. Innis said that they could and that there may be others as well. Jack
Buckley commented on the mixed use and entrepreneurship and thought it would be an
opportunity for the school to be involved. Susan Bryant agreed and Chairman Davis asked her
to look further into this. Someone asked about the hearing process and Jason Burtner of CZM
said a hearing is scheduled locally. It is posted and also in the Environmental Monitor. The
hearing is run by CZM along with the DEP to present the plan and the chapter 91 modifications.
This is part of the State process which gives the public and anyone else a chance to comment.
A copy of the CMR can be found on the Harbor Committee website cohassetma.org and click
on the Harbor Committee.
Handouts
Proposed completion process sheet
Colored map
Adjournment 7:40 P.M.
Motion by Sean Kenealy and seconded by Lisa Hewitt Dick
Unanimous vote (9-0)
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