HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PB - 03/20/2019 Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 1 of 3
March 20,2019
COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
DATE: TUESDAY MARCH 20, 2019
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: WILLCUTT COMMONS
91 SOHIER STREET, COHASSET,MA 02025
Board Members Present: Clark H. Brewer, Chairman (CB)
Michael Dickey, Vice-Chairman (MD)
Erik Potter(EP)
Brian Frazier(BF)
Amy Glasmeier(AG)
Paul Grady(PG)
Recording Secretary Present: Jennifer Brennan Oram
7:00 P.M. Chairman Brewer called the meeting to order.
63 Highland Avenue and 10 Beach Street—Approval Not Required (ANR)
John Cavanaro of Cavanaro Consulting addressed the Board for this ANR application. The two
neighbors are working together to do a land swap so the owner of 10 Beach Street can put in a pool.
MOTION: By Vice-Chairman Dickey to endorse the ANR plans for 63 Highland
Avenue and 10 Beach Street, Cohasset, MA
SECOND: Member Glasmeier
VOTE: 6— 0 MOTION CARRIES (CB,MD, EP, BF,AG & PG)
Chairman Brewer asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak before they continued the hearings
on the agenda. Mr. Timothy Davis of 257 Atlantic Avenue and Chairman of the Harbor Committee
thanked the Planning Board for addressing what the Harbor Committee has seen with the development
of the Harbor Plan. There is a need for public access, a harbor walk and a view scape of the harbor. He
asked that the Board please recommend an article to Town Meeting.
7:30 P.M. Continued -PUBLIC HEARING—Harbor Village Overlay (HVO)District
The Intent of this article proposes the creation of the Harbor Village Overlay(HVO)
District which will allow multifamily residential use in a mixed-use building of
development pattern within the boundary of an overlay district. The commercial uses
will include retail,professional office, professional services other public amenities both
permanent and seasonal, and restaurant. This use will require a Special Permit from he
Planning Board and will be subject to dimensional and performance standards.
Documents used for this public hearing:
➢ 3.20.19 Power Point presentation prepared by Harriman Associates
Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 2 of 3
March 20,2019
Emily Innes of Harriman Associates reviewed her power point presentation. The presentation showed
the parcels that would be included in the proposed HVO as well as the Chapter 91 area and line along
the properties. Chapter 91 areas are highlighted on the plans,but can be changed with a Municipal
Harbor Plan. Other topics reviewed were facilities of public accommodation, open space
requirements,public walkway requirements and square footage calculations.
Chairman Brewer stated that Ms. Innes made some adjustments to the previous language based on the
hearing on March 13d'. He thinks as a Bylaw draft, they are pretty close to having final language. If
approved, the Zoning Map will need to be updated and some definitions to the Zoning Bylaw will need
to be added. This bylaw will stand on its own in the Zoning Bylaws. There was then a discussion on
what the public benefit would be and the FAR. Associate Member Grady asked Chairman Brewer to
explain what the view corridor would be. Chairman Brewer stated that it allows for a view from Elm
Street of the Harbor; presently any view of the harbor from Elm Street is blocked by the Cohasset
Harbor Inn. There was further discussion regarding the public benefit portion of the bylaw, Member
Glasmeier stated that she did not think the Town has had a good experience with the Village Business
District in regard negotiating public benefits with filing. Member Glasmeier added that she did not
understand why they are doing an Overlay district bylaw now and why the timing is so tight for this
process. She does not think it makes sense to rush through changes in the bylaws now where the Town
is still working on both the Master Plan and the Harbor Plan; wouldn't it make more sense to have all
of that information before moving forward with a bylaw change? Chairman Brewer said that she
brought up a very good point, adding that the Board has been asked to look at doing something in the
Harbor to allow for some change. The Cohasset Harbor Inn has been a"White Elephant" and they
have an opportunity to do a small Overlay to allow for some change. If they don't do anything, then
everything remains status quo. As for the timing, it is tight,but fortunately the Town has a great
consultant to help with the drafting of the language. Member Potter agrees and thinks the Board does
have time and any filing of a Special Permit(if a bylaw is approved) will not happen quickly allowing
the Board to address any issues. Vice-Chairman Dickey agreed. The Board then discussed
commercial development percentages, and more FAR figures.
Mr. George McGoldrick of 107 Border Street and one of the developers for the Cohasset Harbor Inn
site asked the Board to not start the commercial requirement at 20%. They are committing to the view
corridor and the open space, 20%would not make sense financially. The Board discussed what
percentage made sense and agreed that they should require 10%but can offer a waiver. They then
reviewed the parking requirements. They will have the applicant propose a parking plan and work with
the Board.
After further discussion, Chairman Brewer asked if anyone else in the audience wished to speak. Mr.
Jim Blakey, representing 82 Border Street, stated that with all due respect, he thinks the Overlay is spot
zoning, but the WB proposed bylaw is not. Chairman Brewer said that the perception in Town
regarding the WB District was that the entire harbor would be made into condos. The HVO
can be expanded to other parcels over time.
MOTION: By Member Frazier to adopt the Harbor Overlay District Bylaw Language
as discussed,with changes to the Zoning Map and that this proposed Bylaw
be recommended by the Planning Board to the 2019 Annual Town Meeting.
SECOND: Member Frazier
VOTE: 4-0-1 MOTION CARRIES (CB, MD, EP, & BF in Favor. AG abstained)
Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 3 of 3
March 20,2019
MOTION: Member Frazier to close the HVO Public Hearing
SECOND: Member Frazier
VOTE: 5-0 MOTION CARRIES (CB, MD, EP, BF & AG)
9:20 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING—Article XX Special Permits in Waterfront Business (WB)
District—The Planning Board will be conducting a hearing to consider a zoning
use change in the WB District
MOTION: Member Potter to close Waterfront Business Public Hearing
SECOND: Member Frazier
VOTE: 5-0 MOTION CARRIES (CB,MD, EP, BF & AG)
MOTION: Member Potter to extinguish the proposed Waterfront Business Public
Hearing Language
SECOND: Member Frazier
VOTE: 5-0 MOTION CARRIES (CB,MD, EP, BF & AG)
MOTION: By Member Frazier to adjourn the meeting at 9:25PM
SECOND: Member Potter
VOTE: 6—0 MOTION CARRIES (CB, MD, EP, BF,AG & PG)
NEXT PLANNING BOARD MEETING: April 24, 2019