HomeMy Public PortalAboutVision Planning Committee -- 2022-04-04 Minutes TOWN OF BREWSTER VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE
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MEETING MINUTES
Monday, April 4, 2022 , at 3 : 30PM � � ,;' q '
Virtual Meeting
Hal Minis, Chair, convened the Brewster Vision Planning Committee via remote participation with members : Sharon
Tennstedt, Amanda Bebrin , Suzanne Kenney, Andi Gesner, Paul Wallace, and Patricia Hess were present . Fran Schofield
was absent . A quorum was determined .
Also present : Kari Hoffmann and Ellen Murphy
The Chair read the Recording or Taping Notification : This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to
Governor Baker' s March 2020 orders suspending certain Open Meeting Law provisions and imposing limits on public
gatherings . No in- person meeting attendance will be permitted . If the Town is unable to live broadcast this meeting, a record
of the proceedings will be provided on the Town website as soon as possible . The Town has established specific email
addresses for each board and committee so the public can submit comments either before or during the meeting . To submit
public comment or questions to the Vision Planning Committee, please email : brewplan@brewster- ma . gov .
• Review and Approval of March 2111 meeting minutes :
Suzanne made a motion to approve the March 211t meeting minutes, Amanda seconded the motion, a roll call
was taken, and the March 211t meeting minutes were 5 approved and 1 abstained .
• Updates of public engagement activities :
a ) Discussion of survey results :
The Chair moved the discussion of the Action Planning Teams under the Survey Results in order for the
teams to discuss their interpretation after reviewing the survey results .
• Action Planning teams and schedule
a ) Local Economy
Paul Wallace and Patricia Hess provided their thoughts on the survey results . Paul highlighted areas
such as the Town Center, indicating comments were all over the map on where a town center
should exist, but Foster Square was the top location, and most were in favor of small businesses . It
was clear they did not want big businesses in Brewster . Mixed - use housing was favored over high-
density housing . Light industry was not favored but sidewalks, bike paths and keeping with the rural
character and natural resources were highlighted as important to the community . Changing zoning
in existing commercial business areas was supported by participants but not along the 6A area,
traffic was a main concern . Home businesses were supported but not if they impacted the
neighborhood . Paul summed up his observations by noting that overall , the comments lean towards
the expansion of zoning as long as it provides for oversight . There was pushback on development
along 6A . Paul expressed his concern regarding changes and suggested they proceed with caution .
Patricia provided her thoughts on the interviews for Local Economy . She indicated the overarching
themes were zoning issues and streamlining permitting . She stated that the Select Board Strategic
plan addressed permitting, but it will also have to be addressed in the LCP . Patricia informed the
Committee that the last question on the survey for Local Economy stating the expansion of
commercial zoning on the Orleans/ Brewster border was the least answered question . Sharon
commented that when reading the comments, she experienced a tension between the people from
the Cape who recognized a tourist driven economy but not really embracing it . They wanted to
attract year- round businesses and not business types that attract tourists . Andi highlighted the
theme of no more action on 6A, which is a real challenge . Hal indicated in terms of the questions
asked in the survey, the zoning question received a lot of "don ' t know" which indicated more public
education for zoning is required .
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b ) Housing
Suzanne, Andi , and Paul provided their thoughts on the survey results . Suzanne indicated the
comments were varied . No one wanted housing along 6A and keeping with the character of the
area was strongly expressed . Other comments were the effects of housing on some of the other
Building Blocks such as Water Resources and Open Space and there were concerns around
transportation . Building smaller housing options and single-family homes were suggested for
seniors . Restrictions on Air BNBs and building out of sight dormitory structures for seasonal workers
was also suggested . Suzanne stated overall participants agreed on affordable housing but were not
sure how it would look and who would be eligible, but not located on 6A . Andi provided comments
highlighting the ADU bylaw and rules for non -year- round residents . She also stated participants
seemed confused on the term affordable housing and who would be eligible, and employers should
be responsible for housing their seasonal workers . She suggested to include a regional approach to
housing . Paul added that identifying housing comments in the Local Economy Building Block
suggests jobs and housing should go hand in hand . The Committee agreed that housing is a crisis,
and it needs to be addressed . Sharon highlighted suggestions such as incentives for ADUs and
incenting residents to rent their homes year- round . Andi suggested housing above businesses . Hal
commented on the misinterpretation of the term affordable housing .
c) Water Resources
Suzanne and Andi provided their thoughts on the survey results . Suzanne highlighted areas of
importance such as protecting the drinking water through land purchases, conservation, restrictions,
controlling development, zoning regulations, and using less fertilizers . She shared concerns of
banning fertilizers and education around certain fertilizer use as well as septic systems and who will
the cost impact . Andi commented on alternative septic systems and sewer costs . She also
commented on a wastewater plan in Brewster . Sharon brought up a suggestion that was identified
in the survey that the town make rain barrels available and if there was any grant money through
the town . Hal agreed more education needs to be available to the public . Paul, as the chair of the
Planning Board , informed the Committee the Town recently passed a storm water management
bylaw through the Planning Board, which is a significant change to how storm water is managed on
commercial and residential lots . It is a high priority for the Town . Hal commented that it is a good
example of what the Town has done but most don' t know about it .
d ) Open Space
Hal provided his thoughts on Open Space from the data . Protecting drinking water quality was
highlighted . He indicated there were a lot of comments about raising taxes and he confirmed that
land acquisition has no impact on taxes and handled through the Committee for Preservation Act
fund . He indicated all the marshes in Brewster are protected . The value of open space as part of
the town character was also mentioned as well as having open space that is not accessible to the
public . Hal confirmed that all these comments are supportive of the direction the Town has taken .
She indicated that there were many comments resulting in the need for additional education
because participants are unaware of the amount of open space land owned by the Town . Amanda
commented that the tax rate in Brewster went down but the assessment went up which is due to
the real estate market price increase .
Hal discussed next steps indicating at the next meeting they will discuss Community Infrastructure, Coastal
Management, and Climate Mitigation . Andi summarized the four Building Blocks discussed by highlighting
the trends; public information and education, not on 6A, protecting the rural and character of the Town and
creative approaches to both incentives and non - incentives on the kinds of things we want to do and don ' t
want to see . Hal indicated the focus will be to complete the analysis which will help to asked better
questions and flush out the proposed actions for the LCP . Ellen will confirm the meeting on May .2 will be
face to face . Hal informed the Committee at that meeting the focus will be reviewing the interactive
mapping and finalizing the guidelines and process for the next phase .
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• Status of Summary Papers :
The summary papers were sent out today to select Town staff for review with a completion date of April 20th
and on track to finalize by the end of the month . Hal informed the Committee that once they are finalized , they
can be reviewed by the Building Block teams .
• Communication — review current and future actions :
Hal referred to the letter in the meeting packet from the previous survey for the Vision Plan as a model . He
asked the Committee if there were any comments . He requested if there was a volunteer that could redraft the
letter for the current survey . Patricia and Suzanne will draft a publication for review . Hal will also present an
update of the survey to the Select Board . He is waiting on a date in May . Patricia suggested to post the
announcement of the survey results on bulletin boards at the Town Hall , Library, COA and golf course . The
Committee agreed . Ellen will provide copies for distribution .
• Update on LCP roadmap and status report on Tighe and Bond tasks .
Hal indicated the timeline for the LCP is still on track for the Fall Town meeting . He informed the Committee
they are in the process of finalizing the Land Use summary paper . Tighe and Bond will participate in the
meetings to discuss the action plan .
• Review Action Items from March 2111 meeting :
Patricia informed the Committee that the Housing Production Plan is still outstanding . Hal will get it out
immediately . Amanda indicated that the Housing survey has been extended until April 8th
• Next Meeting : Tuesday April 19tHo
• Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair :
Ellen reminded the Committee the meeting on May 2nd will be face to face . Meetings will be hybrid so the
public can participate in the meeting . Paul informed the Committee he will not be running for Planning Board in
May and therefore cannot be a representative of the Planning Board for the Committee . He would like to
continue as a public member if there is a vacancy . Hal ' confirmed that the Committee is down a public member .
Kari will follow up with Paul .
Andi made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Sharon second the motion , the meeting was unanimously adjourned at
4 ; 35 pm .
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