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Home My Public Portal AboutVision Planning Committee -- 2022-05-02 Minutes TOWN OF BREWSTER VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE DREP;l "10 Tpl.11 �; i FRli. MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 2 , 2022, at 330PM # 9A[ji Virtual Meeting Hal Minis, Chair, convened the Brewster Vision Planning Committee via remote participation with members : Sharon Tennstedt, Amanda Bebrin, Suzanne Kenney, Andi Gesner, and Patricia Hess were present . Paul Wallace and Fran Schofield were 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 April 1911 meeting minutes : Andi made a motion to approve the April 19th meeting minutes, Sharon seconded the motion, a roll call was taken , and the April 19th meeting minutes were approved unanimously . • Action Planning teams and schedule : a ) Local Economy Patricia provided an overview of purposes and actions taken from each purpose . She highlighted actions such as working collaboratively with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce for branding and fostering small business including in - home businesses that are compatible with the Town ' s character . She questioned if the term Green Economy should be changed . Hal suggested changing the term to grow Brewster' s economy . The Committee agreed . Patricia suggested form base zoning which focuses on the physical form of the development rather than the use of the development . Hal suggested the terms are explained in more detail for the action and build public awareness for form base zoning . Patricia commented on modifying and simplifying the permitting process which is a common thread across many of the Building Blocks . She also stated fostering small businesses that { are compatible with the character of the town . Kari reminded the Committee of the staff review process that is very valuable for businesses in the Town . b) Housing Sue Kenney reviewed the purposes with the Committee . She stepped through the actions for each of the purposes . She discussed zoning changes, housing choices and building single family housing on non - conforming lots, Town incentives, reaching state housing goal of 10% by 2025, and holding a public forum to educate the public on affordable housing . Andi clarified some of the actions are also approaches to implement the action . Hal suggested the actions be more specific to provide more direction . Amanda suggested allowing mixed uses in commercial and business areas be included . She commented that changing zoning can be a long process and an overarching approach may be more cohesive . Kari suggested changing the use table which could affect more than one zone . Amanda suggested reaching out to the Town Planner on the best method . The Committee then went on to discuss ADUs . And ! suggested incentives for ADUs to address some of the Housing issues . Hal suggested wording the action to explore incentives for greater ADUs . Amanda informed the Committee that there are organizations that will provide information and guidance to homeowners who are considering ADUs, and it might be helpful to add a phase in the action for connecting to local resources . The Committee continued to discuss non - conforming lots and what it might entail . It was also suggested to work collaborating with other towns to address affordable housing opportunities . Amanda confirmed that more than three units is considered multi -family . Page 1 of 3 3 3 I I i The Committee discussed options for seniors such as age- in - place which was highlighted in the survey comments . Amanda suggested an organization that does rehabilitation that would provide an opportunity for accessibility within the home . Sharon stated the challenge is to find in- home workers, which is not the responsibility of the Town . The Committee also touched upon housing options for seasonal workers . c ) Water Resources Andi reviewed the purposes with the Committee . She provided the actions within each purpose . She highlighted land purchases to protect the drinking water around well fields and ponds . Hal indicated with the4 Natural Resources Protection bylaw it limits location and layout of development . Amanda indicated the septic would be the limiting factor, which is also a factor for development . Hal suggested strengthening ground water protection in commercial zones . Amanda also highlighted the new Storm Water bylaw . Andi indicated they are suggesting an action to fully implement the Storm Water bylaw . They also discussed the protection of pond water . Amanda informed the Committee that education was in the works for the Storm Water bylaw . Andi reinformed the education of the protection of water quality to the public . The Committee also discussed the alternatives to septic systems . Kari also included encouraging residents to pump their septic systems more frequently . Hal noted the private golf courses should model their process after the Captain' s golf course for fertilizer use . d ) Open Space Hal provided the Committee with an overview of the purposes and actions to be taken for each purpose . The highlighted areas included extending the Rail Trail from Nickerson State Park to the State beach property, increase recreational areas and nature trails, complete the Wing Island boardwalk . Also discussed were prioritizing land acquisition in drinking water supply areas and, focusing on developing areas of high- density growth . e) Governance Sharon provided the Committee with an overview of the purposes and actions taken for each purpose . She discussed improving communications with a formal communications plan that would provide updated information for residents . She recommended actions that were taken from a government studies committee in 2016 . Amanda indicated that many of these items are in progress with the new town website that will be rolled out in the next couple of months . Hal indicated the Town needs input for the requirements . Hal suggested to include on the Town website educational material including fact sheets . Sharon suggested expanding the volunteer base and address the challenges of elected vs . appointed positions on Boards and Committees and reduce term limits . Amanda informed the Committee that very few Board members are elected only a handful are elected and she is against it . It was decided to remove this action from the list and include more ad hoc committees and ways for the residents to engage . Kari informed the Committee that on the new town website there is a function to streamline the permitting process . • Discuss review of VPC action ideas with Town staff, Boards and Stakeholders Hal , Sharon and Sharon Rooney met with Town Administration to discuss timeline and format . It was decided on half day workshops the weeks starting June 6 and June 13 to review action ideas . The remaining 5 Building Blocks will be reviewed at the next meeting on May 16 and then the plan is to get the recommendations to select Town staff prior to the half day workshops . Hal asked the Committee to provide their availability for the weeks of June 6 and June 13 both morning and afternoon by a show of hands . Ellen tallied up the count and will submit to Hal who will reach out to Town Administration to determine the schedule . • Communication — review current and future actions : Hal informed the Committee the announcement of the survey results has been posted to the Town website . Patricia will send the publication informing the public of the survey results to the Cape Codder . Sue suggested a postcard be sent out to everyone who received the announcement of the survey directing them to where they can review the results on the website and thanking them for participating . Ellen will check the cost to send out postcards and the remaining budget . Hal asked Kari about timing for an update to the Select Board . Kari agreed Page 2 of 3 a i that an update outlining the process and next steps . Kari will reach out to the Select Board for a date . Town Administration requested Hal to speak at the Town Department Head meeting to provide an update and next steps and include them in the process . • Update on LCP roadmap and status report on Tighe and Bond tasks : Once the workshops are completed and actions are finalized with Town staff, Tighe and Bond will look at the Capital Improvement plan ( CIP ) in relation to the actions to ensure capital improvements that are required in the action plan are reflected in the CIP . Tighe and Bond will then put together the draft of the action plan and summarize all the summary papers . The Committee will review the draft over the summer and be ready for a public hearing . in early September . Tighe and Bond will finalize the action plan and be ready for Fall Town meeting . After Town meeting it will go to the Cape Cod Commission for certification . Sharon Rooney agreed to the plan . She also provided an update on changes to the Land Use Summary paper . • Review Action Items from April 19th meeting : Patricia informed the Committee that the action items have been covered . Maps for Town Center withr location will be displayed in the Town Hall and Library . Sharon Rooney asked for the % to transfer to a digital format . Sharon will send to Sharon Rooney to include in the plan . • Next Meeting : Monday, May 161h Select Board room person to person . • Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair: None Sharon made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Andi seconded the motion , the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 5 : 46 pm . i i i I i i f 1 i i 1 1 i i Page 3 of 3 i i i i {