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HomeMy Public PortalAboutVPC 05/02/22 Meeting Packet Town of Brewster Vision Planning Committee 2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631 brewplan@brewster-ma.gov (508) 896-3701 MEETING AGENDA Remote Participation Only Monday, May 2, 2022 at 3:30 PM 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 meeting may be viewed by: Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brewster- ma.gov), or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov). Meetings may be joined by: 1. Phone: Call (929) 436-2866 or (301) 715-8592. Zoom Meeting ID: 819 3038 8203 and Passcode 317154 To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized. 2. Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930388203?pwd=VHEvUURMM1ZFdUJNREJIbEN3SFdOZz09 and enter Passcode 317154 To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand” button or type “Chat” comment with your name and address, then wait to be recognized. Vision Planning Committee Hal Minis Chair Sharon Tennstedt Vice Chair Amanda Bebrin Andi Genser Patricia Hess Suzanne Kenney Fran Schofield Paul Wallace Administrative Assistant Ellen Murphy Select Board Liaison Kari Hoffmann Finance Committee Liaison Honey Pivirotto 1. Call to Order 2. Declaration of a Quorum 3. Meeting Participation Statement 4. Review and Approval of April 19, 2022 Minutes 5. Review and Discuss Building Block recommendations/actions a) Local Economy b) Housing c) Water Resources d) Open Space 6. Discuss review of VPC action ideas with Town staff, boards, and stakeholders 7. Communication – review current and future actions 8. Update of LCP roadmap 9. Status report on Tighe and Bond tasks 10. Items for the next meeting agenda 11. Review Action Items from April 19th meeting 12. Next Meeting: Monday, May 16th 13. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair 14. Adjournment Date Posted: Date Revised: Received by Town Clerk: 4/28/2022 Page 1 of 2 TOWN OF BREWSTER VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 3:30PM 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 4th meeting minutes: Sharon made a motion to approve the April 4th meeting minutes, Suzanne seconded the motion, a roll call was taken, and the April 4th meeting minutes were approved unanimously.  Action Planning teams and schedule: a) Community Infrastructure Amanda provided an overview of the analysis that was performed on the comments for the Community Infrastructure. She highlighted the themes; reusing existing buildings for a multi- generational community center, concerns for what the Town is taking on and the impact financially to taxpayers, supporting schools and the senior center for the aging population of the Town. She also indicated there were comments regarding oversight for zoning changes. Amanda outlined the suggestions to increase fiber optics for better internet service in the Town, wind power, increasing cell towers, burying power lines, focusing on sewerage and wastewater treatment, and adding more access to the bike trail. Participants also suggested a Town pool and swim lessons. Amanda stated the comments reflected a split for and against sidewalks and the use of the Sea Camps property. Hal commented on the theme across many of the Building Blocks for making Brewster more friendly for biking and walking. Sharon expressed a concern that residents thought having a community center at the Sea Camps was already decided by the Town. Hal suggested it was a reaction to all the discussion in Town with Sea Camps and the possible school closing. Suzanne commented that all of the Building Blocks are related, and it is good people are talking. Kari indicated that the Sea Camps Planning Committees are ramping up this week with their first meetings. Andi agreed that more access to the Bike path would be a good addition. Amanda suggested additional education for right of way and what it means to residents if sidewalks are installed. b) Coastal Management In Fran’s absence, Hal suggested the Committee review both Coastal Management and Climate Mitigation Building Blocks and discuss highlights. Starting with Coastal Management Hal read the survey questions and the results. He asked if there were any observations. Sharon informed the Committee there were substantial support for Coastal Management. Expanding access to public beaches and offsite parking raised concern because the beaches are already crowded. Hal agreed this is a big issue because residents do not want more crowds at the beach. Sharon indicated there was a lot of support for resident-only beaches. Hal discussed the trend of mega houses built along the coast. Many towns are considering maximum housing sizes in coastal areas. He suggested that the Town may want to consider this as well since the comments showed support. Amanda informed Page 2 of 2 the Committee that towns on Cape are starting to take up the issue at their Spring Town meetings. Sharon also informed the Committee comments supported additional bike racks at the beaches. c) Climate Mitigation Hal read some of the questions with the results and the Committee discussed observations. Sharon highlighted the comments for vehicles with alternative fuel. Overall, the comments indicated the Town should not replace vehicles until needed, using a phased approach. Sharon suggested that the question may have indicated all at once which was not the intention. Public charging stations were also a concern that was reflected in the comments. Financial impact to the taxpayers was a main theme across all Building Blocks including Climate Mitigation. She indicated homeowners felt the town does not need to inform them about energy efficiency, they already obtain the information from other sources.  Status of Summary Papers: Hal informed the Committee the comments are due back on April 20th, and he is hoping to get most of them by the end of the week. The comments to date did not change the thrust of the overall paper. As they are received, they will be sent out to the Committee. Ellen provided a status of the comments received on the summary papers to date.  Communication – review current and future actions: Sharon, Suzanne, and Patricia will draft a publication informing the public of the survey results after the meeting. Hal suggested to add the bar graph with the survey results to the Town website. Andi suggested a link in the publication from Sharon, Suzanne and Patricia would be helpful. Kari suggested an introductory paragraph for the bar graph survey results. Sharon will draft and send to Hal for review. Patricia suggested to include it on the VPC webpage. Hal suggested updating the maps to display the Town Center survey question at the Town Hall and Library by adding the % at each location for the question results. Hal will ask Sharon Rooney the best method to display.  Update on LCP roadmap and status report on Tighe and Bond tasks: Hal, Sharon, and Sharon Rooney met to discuss the timeline for the LCP. Unfortunately, the next meeting will not be in-person as hoped and therefore the meeting on May 16th will be the first in-person meeting. Hal suggested next steps for each Building Block team to draft the action ideas. He proposed for the May 2nd meeting, the Building Block teams; Local Economy, Housing, Open Space and Water Resources present their action ideas to the Committee for review and discussion and at the May 16th meeting the Committee will review; Community Infrastructure, Coastal Management, Climate Mitigation and Governance. Hal will provide a guideline to the Committee on how to frame the action ideas and send it out after the meeting. It was suggested the Committee send in any ideas to the other Building Block teams as well. Hal stepped through the timeline, indicating all draft action ideas should be completed for all of the Building Blocks by the May 16th meeting. Hal will set up a meeting with Administration to discuss the process for Town Staff review of the action items, shooting for mid-June, once finalized with Town staff, Tighe and Bond will look at the Capital Improvement plan (CIP) in relation to the action plan 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. 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.  Review Action Items from March 21st meeting: Patricia informed the Committee that the action items have been covered.  Next Meeting: Monday, May 2nd  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 4:43 pm. Local Economy Actions Purpose: Build a “green economy” based on the Town’s natural beauty and resources LCP Action: Proactively work with the Brewster Chamber of Commerce to develop a brand and provide incentives to promote new and existing businesses which build on the town’s rural character and natural resources including, but not limited to, the Cape Cod Bay, beaches, ponds, parks, open space, and Rail Trail. Purpose: Foster small businesses with the town’s character and promote year-round employment LCP Action: Review, change and expand zoning to allow different types of small business and allow in home businesses compatible with the town’s character. LCP Action: Consider form-based zoning as a way to focus on the physical form of development rather than the use of the development. LCP Action: Modify/simplify the business permitting process for new businesses and start-ups in order to attract small businesses to the town. Vision Planning Targeted Goals 4/28/2022 Housing: Purpose 1: Promote housing choices to allow families to live, work, and prosper LCP Action: Review multiuse and multifamily zoning and make needed changes (high density housing in commercial section of town) LCP Action: Evaluate ADU bylaw; what other zoning changes might be needed; what incentives could be implemented by town LCP Action: Encourage single family housing development on non-conforming lots (that are otherwise unbuildable) to make housing affordable for families and seniors LCP Action: Reach State Housing goal of 10% by 2025 or before LCP Action: Hold public forums to educate general public on what affordable housing means and why it’s important in the town of Brewster LCP Action: Support creative funding and collaborative partnerships (public/private) in the development of needed affordable housing LCP Action: Utilize a regional approach to increase opportunities for affordable housing Purpose 2: Provide opportunities for aging population LCP Action: Explore solutions to allow seniors to age in place LCP Action: Prioritize the re-use of existing buildings for housing Purpose 3: Address housing needs of year round and seasonal worker: LCP Action: Review zoning restrictions and propose creative solutions including use of sea camps dormitories Vision Planning Committee Targeted Goals 4/28/2022 Water Resources: Purpose 1: Protect town wellfields by expanding open space acquisition and other measures LCP Action: Continued land purchases (in critical and contiguous areas) to protect the drinking water and prohibit further development around land that protects the aquifer (in particular around wells and ponds) LCP Action: Establish bylaws to control size and scale of structures and how close to different areas they can be built Purpose 2: Improve pond water quality through public education regulation and mitigation activities LCP Action: Fully implement stormwater bylaw and share information LCP Action: Education to citizens on water quality issues and what people can do to make a difference in their own homes including using non-toxic fertilizers, installing a rain barrel, cleaning septic system every 3 years Purpose 3: Protect water quality LCP Action: Subsidize alternative systems to septic LCP Actions: Explore cluster sewer systems for multi family dwellings/possibly in business district along 6A (connect with town center idea?) LCP Action: Develop a long-range plan evaluating different solutions to existing septic system including upgrading current septic system to remove nutrients through new technologies and constructing a sewer system in high density area and use Open Space BB LCP Action Recommendations Purpose 1: Improve public access to and expand the use of recreational areas LCP action: Actively pursue the development, including final design, permitting, and construction, of the Cape Cod Rail Trail extension from Nickerson State Park to the State beach property, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation LCP action: Increase the importance of recreation and the positive effect of woodlands in climate mitigation as criteria for land acquisition LCP action: Complete the permitting, funding, and construction of the Wing Island boardwalk LCP action: Develop an integrated trail system for the Long Pond Woodlands and former Sea Camps Long Pond property. Purpose 2: Prioritize environmentally sensitive areas for preservation LCP action: Continue to prioritize land acquisition in drinking water supply areas Purpose 3: Maintain Open space through density and development standards LCP action: Revise the Zoning by-law to direct growth away from priority natural resource areas while directing development to areas of public services, economic activities, and transport where it is appropriate Actions VPC April 19 2022 Actions Responsibility Time Plan to review White papers as they are edited All End April Draft survey summary article for publication Sharon T, Suzanne, Patricia May 2 Put Survey bar graph up on website Vision page and announce on town website with link Ellen and Sharon T May 2 Draft Executive summary of survey results Sharon T May 2 Update maps with percentage for town center; check if it can be also done on digital files Sharon T, Sharon R and Hal May 2 Draft ideas for Actions by individual teams for building blocks All By Friday before for May 2 and May 16 meetings Send out guidelines for actions Hal ASAP Send any ideas for actions for other than own building blocks All By May 2/16 Follow up with White papers with Peter Lombardi Hal May 2 Next Meeting (Virtual) All May2