HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PB - 01/01/2008 - Planning Board Meeting Minutes 2008 (8) Planning Board Meeting 1 of 2
January 9,2008
COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
DATE: WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 9,2008
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL— BASEMENT MEETING ROOM
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE, COHASSET,MA 02025
Board Members Present: Alfred Moore, Chairman
William Good,Vice Chair
Robert Sturdy
Board Members Absent: Stuart Ivimey, Clerk
Mike Westcott
Recording Secretary Present: Jo-Ann M. Pilczak
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT: 7:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M. DAVE CALHOUN—ALTERNATIVE PAVING PRODUCTS Calhoun wants to replace
pavement on Manor Way Circle plans with grass/gravel pavers. He explained it replaces asphalt, is stronger,better
for environment,requires less maintenance,has a 25 year life(asphalt has 15 yrs.) and,will improve value of
property. Homeowners' Assoc.would be responsible for maintenance,not Town. Also wants to move back the
traveled way. Board discussed and determined:
• Traveled surface can be moved back
• Calhoun should document in the Homeowners' Association making it clear that the Homeowners' is
responsible for maintenance,not the Town
• Calhoun is to send technical information about this paving surface to John Modzelewski for review and
comment before they approve
7:10 P.M. SEAN CUNNING, SEWER COMM. -DISCUSSION RE: VILLAGE AREA CAPACITY
Board had asked representative from Sewer Comm.to attend a Planning Board meeting to explain sewer capacity
and hook up limitations. Cunning explained that 485 homes on Little Harbor are now being done and that there is a
waiting list. Sewer Commission must finish the Little Harbor hook-ups and then watch the usage and capacity
before they can determine what future capacity availability might be. Cunning felt that there will not be much
capacity available for 5-6 years except those existing properties that are grandfathered. This means that,without
ability to hook up to sewer for 5-6 years, development in the village (as an outcome of the new Village Bylaw)
will not be at uncontrolled high levels.
7:20 P.M. TOM CALLHAN, DISCUSSION—PROPOSED ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT TO
SECTION 8—SPECIAL PERMIT GRANTING AUTHORITY OVER NON-CONFORMING LOTS AND
STRUCTURES IN THE VILLAGE The Village Bylaw that was passed at the Nov. 2007 STM names the
Planning Board the Special Permit Granting Authority(SPGA). However, for proposed changes on non-
conforming parcels in the VB district,the ZBA is still the SPGA. Callahan proposed a bylaw amendment to
Section 8 of the zoning bylaws for the 2008 ATM warrant to add a sentence to subsection 8.1 which names the
Planning Board as the SPGA in the VB district and the ZBA the SPGA under this section in all other districts. This
closes the loophole of jurisdiction and, streamlines the application process for these non-conforming parcels by not
requiring the applicant to go before the Planning Board for site plan review and the ZBA for the special permit.
MOTION: by Member Sturdy to submit Callahan's proposed article to amend Section 8 to the Town
Manager for the Spring 2008 ATM warrant.
SECOND: Member Good
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
Planning Board administrator to submit article and request that it be sent to Town Counsel for review and comment.
Planning Board Meeting 2 of 2
January 9,2008
7:30 P.M. CHARLES HUMPHREYS, DISCUSSION—WATERFRONT BUSINESS DISTRICT STUDY
In representing Peter Roy, Attorney Humphreys would like to submit an article for the Spring 2008 ATM warrant
to address funding for a waterfront study to parallel the Village study done by Concord Square. Planning Board
administrator to find the downtown village business district study warrant article (spring or fall 2006?) and
forward to Humphreys. Humphreys and Callahan to edit to make it appropriate for the waterfront business district
study. Board will submit article—must be submitted by Monday, January 14.
8:00 P.M. CONCORD SQUARE PROPOSAL AND FUNDING SOURCES DISCUSSION Board had
difficulty discussing due to absence of Members Westcott and Ivimey and Agnus Jenning of Concord Square.
Board felt that update of the bylaws is a necessity for the town and should be built into the FY09 budget—Member
Moore to discuss with Town Manager at his budget meeting on January 15,2008. Funding to hire Concord Square
on as needed basis for town planning activities to be included in budget discussion with Town Manager. Funding
for Waterfront study—possibilities include: private funding,grants, CPC contribution.
8:10 P.M. DISCREPANCY BETWEEN PLANNING BOARD AND ZBA DETERMINATIONS OF
WAYS. Dave Calhoun brought up concern about discrepancy between the way the Planning Board and ZBA
determine ways and streets . Planning Board conducts review to determine if road can be traveled safely while the
ZBA makes a determination regarding whether they believe it is open to the public,the ZBA declares it a"way"
from which frontage can be gotten. The process can almost be bypassed if Planning Board rules against and if
Building Inspector denies a building permit, can go to ZBA and show that public walked a"way", ZBA can rule in
favor of it as a"way"and able to be used for frontage. Too much grey area—ZBA should be referring back to
Planning Board for sign off as the Planning Board is responsible by statute. Calhoun thinks this will lead to many
appeals in the future. Member Good agreed that this is a concern.
8:15 P.M. ADMINISTRATION
• VOTE TO APPROVE 12/05/07 MINUTES
MOTION: by Member Sturdy to approve the December 5,2007 minutes
SECOND: Member Good
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
• VOTE TO APPROVE 2007 ANNUAL REPORT
MOTION: by Member Good to approve the 2007 Annual Report
SECOND: Member Sturdy
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
• SET FEBRUARY&MARCH MEETING DATES
February 6 and 20; March 5,12 and 26.
• VOTE TO AMEND ZBA APPLICATION PACKET PLANNING BOARD REVIEW NOTICE
Hold discussion for next meeting when Member Ivimey is present.
MOTION: by Member Sturdy to adjourn at 8:45 PM
SECOND: Member Good
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23,2008 AT 7:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES APPROVED: STUART IVIMEY, CLERK
DATE: JANUARY 23,2008