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:
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To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized.
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To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand” button or type “Chat” comment with your name and address, then wait to
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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
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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
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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