Town of Sharon Planning Board
Meeting Minutes of 1/7/09
Amended and Approved on 1/21/09
Planning Board Attendees
Arnold Cohen, Chair |
Susan Price |
Paul Lauenstein, Vice Chair |
Amanda Sloan |
Eli Hauser, Clerk |
|
Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer, Consultant
Attendees
None |
|
Chair’s Report
The meeting began at 7:40 PM with Chair Arnold Cohen reading the Chair’s Report. A letter was received from the Sharon Housing Partnership indicating their interest in the Johnson Drive property and a request for a dialogue with the Board. Ms. Levitts will contact the Partnership and set up a meeting time and date.
Form A/Sign Reviews
None
Charter Commission
Mr. Hauser informed the Board that the Charter Commission would like to meet with the full Planning Board if possible on 1/12/09 at 7:15 PM. Ms. Price indicated that she sent her responses to the survey to Mr. Cohen for review. Mr. Cohen suggested that Ms. Price pass it to all Board members for their review as well, before forwarding the survey responses to the Charter Commission.
Articles for Spring Town Meeting
The Board discussed possible articles to submit for Spring Town Meeting. These include: Johnson Drive, Light Industrial District and Sign Bylaws.
A brief discussion ensued regarding the Sign Bylaw issue. Mr. Hauser suggested that the Board prepare a three slide presentation for Town meeting that discusses 1) why this article is important, 2) addresses previous concerns and 3) provides a background history of the status of the Bylaw. It was stated that the Zoning Bylaws are enforced by the Building Inspector and the General Bylaws are enforced by the Board of Selectmen and this is of concern to many citizens. Ms. Price stated she would work with the Town Clerk to research the Sign Bylaws history. Mr. Cohen thinks the only issue raised at Town Meeting is whether grandfathering of the Bylaw would be different, depending on whether the by-law was part of the General By-laws or part of the Zoning By-law. He suggested comparing the version in the Zoning By-law booklet to the General Bylaws version. Mr. O’Cain said he would contact Mr. Wluka who expressed concern regarding grandfathering at the Fall Town Meeting. All Board members agreed that what is important is that the Sign Bylaws are all inclusive wherever they are located.
Member Re-appointments
Ms. Price moved to nominate Mr. Cohen for an additional term to the Community Preservation Commission. Mr. Hauser seconded the motion. Mr. Cohen cautioned that he might not run for re-election in May, so there could be a need to appoint a different Planning Board member to take his place on the Community Preservation Commission after that. The Board voted 4-0-0 in favor. Ms. Levitts will notify Town Clerk Chused of this nomination and determine if the seat on the CPC must be held by a Planning Board member.
Meeting Minutes
Mr. Hauser moved to approve the 12/3/08 meeting minutes as amended. Ms. Price seconded the motion. The Board voted 5-0-0 to approve the minutes.
Mr. Hauser moved to approve the 12/18/08 meeting minutes as amended. Ms. Price seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-2 (Lauenstein and Sloan were absent on 12/18/08).
Meeting dates
1/21/09, 2/4/09
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM. Mr. Lauenstein moved to close the meeting and Mr. Hauser seconded the motion. The Board voted 5-0-0 in favor.