HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PB - 01/01/2008 - Planning Board Meeting Minutes 2008 (6) Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 1 of 2
December 15, 2008
COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
DATE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 15,2008
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL— BASEMENT MEETING ROOM
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE, COHASSET,MA 02025
Board Members Present:
Stuart W. Ivimey,Vice Chair
Charles A. Samuelson,Clerk
Clark H. Brewer
Board Members Absent: Alfred S. Moore,Jr. - Chairman
Michael R. Westcott
Recording Secretary Present: Jo-Ann M. Pilczak
Meeting called to order at: 7:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M. WOODY CHITTICK,DISCUSSION RE—POTENTIAL ZONING ARTICLES
Chittick noted that there are two anomalies that might make sense to address at some point:
1.) Land off Corey Point which includes Brush Island and other islands. What is notable is that this is unzoned
and these islands are privately owned and Brush Island had a summer home in the 1920's. To have unzoned
property could be dangerous in that there would be no zoning restrictions in terms of size and height and, anything
could be built. Chittick would suggest zoning it the same as the most contiguous land which is zoned RC, although
it would not make a difference if it were zoned RA. The state has jurisdiction over the water,but the town has
jurisdiction over the land and the harbors. Board and Chittick agreed that the best use would be open space.
2.) Downtown Business District at Beechwood and Doane Streets. This area was zoned DB District because,
before zoning,Merle Brown's family had a small family store which has been out of business for 35+years. If
zoned RA as the surrounding properties is zoned RA,the question is whether anyone's rights are being taken away.
It is unlikely that any commercial business here would survive today. The danger in keeping it zoned DB is that the
setbacks are less than the RA district and, in addition to a store, single family houses could be put in this DB
district on 5,000 SF of land and have 80%coverage. This made sense in relation to the downtown Village,but does
not make sense in the Beechwood section which is all residential except for this section zoned DB. Ivimey agrees
that the DB zoning has probably outlived its usefulness in this section but that the Board should contact the owners
and abutters of this DB zoned area to discuss the rezoning with them. Board thinks the rezoning might improve
property values as people would be reassured that the neighborhood will remain residential as it is today.
Administrator to get mailing labels for these properties,direct abutters and abutters to direct abutters and, draft
letter to be sent regarding informal discussion about this potential rezoning being considered by the Board. Will not
be completed prior to the close of the Spring, 2009 ATM Warrant—will target as article for the Fall,2009 ATM.
Board would like to focus on the Beechwood DB District zoning first,then address the unzoned islands.
7:15 P.M. 215 CJC HWY, WIND TURBINE SITE PLAN REVIEW AND SPECIAL PERMIT CONT'D
PUBLIC HEARING, APPL: JAMES SWEENEY,CCI ENERGY; OWNER: PAUL BARRY
• VOTE TO POSTPONE AND CONTINUE TO 2009 DATE AND TIME CERTAIN
MOTION: by Member Brewer to continue Wind Turbine public hearing to January 12,2009 at 7:30 PM.
SECOND: Member Samuelson
VOTE: 3 -0 MOTION CARRIES
The Board also wanted applicant notified that all documents and data requested at the December 1, 2008 meeting
as well as the completed sound study must be submitted no later than December 29,2008 or the January 12,2009
hearing will be postponed. Board wants John Modzelewski to have at least two weeks to review this data.
Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 2 of 2
December 15, 2008
7:16 P.M. ADMINISTRATION
• VOTE TO APPROVE DECEMBER 1,2008 MINUTES
MOTION: by Member Samuelson to approve the December 1, 2008 minutes
SECOND: Member Brewer
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
• CAPITAL BUDGET—Planning Board does not have any capital budget items to submit
• 2009 ATM—GENERAL ARTICLES—ZONING MAP UPDATE AND SUBDIVISION RULES ®S
MOTION: by Member Samuelson to submit the two General Article to Town Manager for the Spring,
2009 ATM warrant
SECOND: Member Samuelson
VOTE: 3 -0 MOTION CARRIES
Administrator to submit
• COMPREHENSIVE PLAN—not on agenda—brought up for discussion by Member Brewer
Brewer mentioned the establishment of a Comprehensive Plan. Member Ivimey stated that he is not necessarily in
favor of another Master Plan type document. All agreed,however, that goal setting would be a productive idea for
accomplishing some of the longer term items—eg. establishment of a centralized GIS system to consolidate
information data base for mapping; public transportation etc.
Members agreed to come to the next meeting with 3 goals they would like the Board to set for 2009.
• CONSERVATION COMMISSION REQUEST FOR PLANNING BOARD TO ATTEND MEETING TO
DISCUSS STORMWATER BYLAW—not on agenda—Planning Board Administrator added
Administrator received email from David Farrag, Chairman of Conservation Commission asking Planning Board
and John Modzelewski to attend a special meeting with ConComm to discuss the Stormwater Bylaw and how both
boards should deal with it. Board agreed to attend a meeting. Would prefer not to involve John Modzelewski at
this point as there is question as to who would pay for his time. Board would like to begin by having a general
discussion first and perhaps bring John Modzelewski in later. Administrator to respond to Farrag's request.
MOTION: by Member Brewer to adjourn at 9:00 P.M.
SECOND: Member Samuelson
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, January 12,2009 AT 6:30 P.M.
MINUTES APPROVED: Charles A. Samuelson, Clerk
DATE: January 12,2009