Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 6/25/08

Amended and Approved on 7/30/08

Planning Board Attendees

Arnold Cohen, Chair	Susan Price
Paul Lauenstein, Vice Chair	Amanda Sloan  - absent
Eli Hauser, Clerk - absent

Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer, Consultant - absent

Attendees

None

Chair’s Report

The meeting began at 7:50 PM with Chair Cohen reading the Chair’s Report.

Meeting Minutes

Mr. Lauenstein moved to accept the minutes of 6/4/08 as amended.  Ms. Price seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-0 in favor.

South Coast Rail Project

Ms. Price provided an overview as well as a handout from the South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan meeting that she attended on June 17, 2008. In summary, the plan coordinates land use and economic development with new transportation investments. The Patrick Administration is committed to bringing new transportation choices to southeastern Massachusetts by extending passenger rail from Boston to New Bedford and Fall River through the South Coast Rail project. It is a public process to plan for shaping growth and promoting economic development. The plan pays attention to local needs and priorities of the community for managing growth, preserving open space and sensitive areas, and promoting desirable economic development. Consultant Larissa Brown will be meeting with all towns to explain the project and determine individual town’s needs.

Basically, Ms. Price said, the consultant is available to do some planning work for the towns in the region. The goal is to support the areas around the train station. Ms. Price said she would email the consultant regarding possible projects for Sharon as well as timeframes.

Goals for new fiscal year 2008 – 2009

 The Board listed the following as potential goals:

1. Inclusionary Housing

2. Update subdivision regulations – include fees for advertising to be charged to proponents

3. Devise a new strategy to reach the 10% 40B quota.

4. LID Bylaw

Article 29

The Attorney General’s Office has not yet approved Article 29 from the Spring Town Meeting due to a procedural defect in the Notice of the Planning Board Hearing. The notice was published 12 days in advance of the hearing, not 14 as required under the law. Procedures in accordance with MGL CH40, S32, as amended by Chapter 200 of the Acts of 2000 have begun.  Ms. Levitts reported that a posting of the Attorney General’s findings was placed in the Sharon Advocate on 6/27/08 and a copy provided to the Town Clerk. This copy will be provided to the Attorney General’s Office. Additional steps are being taken by the Town Clerk in order to rectify this matter,  Ms. Levitts will request a placeholder for this article in the November Town Meeting should the Attorney General not provide a response prior.

Inclusionary Housing

Mr. Lauenstein stated he is scheduled to talk to the Finance Committee on 6/30 regarding Inclusionary Housing. He will let them know that the courts upheld 40B so it is not going away. He said that Sharon has to accept the risk of 40B developments or do something about it.

Sign Review/Bond Approval

None

Form A’s

None

Next meeting dates through the end of August

 7/9, 7/30, 8/13 and 8/27

Meeting Adjournment

Mr. Lauenstein moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM and Ms. Price seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-0 in favor.