Town of Sharon Planning Board
Meeting Minutes of 9/10/08
Amended and Approved on 9/18/08
Planning Board Attendees
|
Arnold Cohen, Chair |
Susan Price |
|
Paul Lauenstein, Vice Chair |
Amanda Sloan |
|
Eli Hauser, Clerk |
|
Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer, Consultant - absent
Attendees
|
Attorney Bob Shelmerdine |
|
Chair’s Report
The meeting began at 7:45 PM with Vice Chair Lauenstein reading the Chair’s Report and Chair Cohen taking the responsibility over at 7:50 pm.
Meeting Minutes
Mr. Lauenstein moved to accept the minutes of 8/27/08 as amended. Ms. Price seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-1 (Hauser abstaining) in favor of accepting the minutes of 8/27/08 as amended.
40R
Attorney Bob Shelmerdine representing Intoccia Companies came before the Board to ask that they consider meeting with Mike Bobrowski, a consultant, hired by the Town, regarding the LIP process being submitted for Sharon Commons. Mr. Shelmerdine said they are submitting the LIP for 168 units shortly and have been meeting with the Selectmen regarding the configuration of the property. Mr. Bobrowski suggested the 40R zoning amendment which they are trying to place on the 11/17 Town Meeting as a zoning overlay change. Mr. Bobrowski is drafting the zoning amendment. As any zoning article has to be reviewed by the Planning Board in a Public Hearing, Mr. Bobrowski wanted to address the Planning Board as to what 40R means as an overlay district and get the Planning Board’s feedback. He is requesting an informal discussion on 9/18.
As per Attorney Shelmerdine, a 40R district is an overlay district that attempts to allow part of the Smart Growth Initiative which creates more density, gives some bonuses and there are cash payments provided to the Town from the State. According to Attorney Shelmerdine, in the Memorandum of Understanding, it states that the Selectmen will support 168 units. 40 R zoning applies to land that is close to transportation and is a mix of both residential and commercial use. Mr. Cohen asked if the 40R proposal was the Selectmen’s article and Mr. Shelmerdine replied yes. Mr. Hauser questioned if the shopping village was included in the 40R district and Mr. Shelmerdine said it could or could not be. Mr. Shelmerdine also said that his client is considering the purchase of additional land from Mr. Gobi and the total unit count could rise from 168 to 202 units.
The Board agreed to meet on 9/18 at 6:45 PM. Ms. Levitts will schedule the meeting accordingly.
Zoning Bylaw Updates
Ms. Levitts reported that Ms. Chused said she has not yet heard back from Attorney Gelerman regarding the placement of the sign bylaws in the Zoning or General Bylaws. Ms. Chused did say that there was a placeholder for Town Meeting should this become an article.
Sign/Bond Approval
None
Inclusionary Housing
Mr. Cohen said that the Board is not united on this topic and that Mr. Lauenstein had stated previously that he did not want to present this article to Town Meeting if it included the Brickstone exclusion. The broader question discussed is if this can wait for a subsequent Town Meeting. Ms. Price offered wording changes to the proposed IH bylaw which changes included a subsection to allow substitution of cash for units. The Board discussed the various changes throughout the draft bylaw and provided their editorial comments. Several members voiced opposition to substituting cash for affordable units, saying that there is evidence that taking cash in lieu of units often results in fewer affordable units being created. The Board still has not made a definitive decision as to whether they will proceed with this article for the November Town Meeting. Mr. Hauser is contacting the Brickstone Company to see if they can attend the 9/24 meeting to explain why they want the IH bylaw to exempt Brickstone from its provisions.
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Next meeting dates
9/18, 9/24, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM. Mr. Lauenstein moved to close the meeting and Ms. Price seconded the motion. The Board voted 5-0-0 in favor.