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HomeMy Public PortalAboutVision Planning Committee -- 2022-05-16 MinutesTOWN OF BREWSTER VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE �'1 ,:;� MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 16, 2022, at 3:30PM Hybrid Meeting Hal Minis, Chair, convened the Brewster Vision Planning Committee via remote participation with members:'i Sharon Tennstedt, Amanda Bebrin, Suzanne Kenney, and Patricia Hess were present. Paul Wallace, Fran Schofield and Andi Gesner were absent. A quorum was determined. Also present: Kari Hoffmann, Jon Idman and Ellen Murphy The Chair read the Recording or Taping Notification: This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, this meeting will be conducted in person and via remote means, in accordance with applicable law. This means that members of the public body may access this meeting in person, or via virtual means. In person attendance will be at the meeting location listed above, and it is possible that any or all members of the public body may attend remotely. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, and public participation in any public hearing conducted during this meeting shall be by remote means only. To submit public comment or questions to the Vision Planning Committee, please email: brewplan@brewster-ma.gov. • Review and Approval of May 2nd meeting minutes: Sharon made a motion to approve the May 2nd meeting minutes, Suzanne seconded the motion, a roll call was taken, and the May 2nd meeting minutes were approved unanimously. • Review LCP Maps Sharon Rooney from Tighe & Bond stepped through the LCP maps based on 2016 Massachusetts GIS data, which is statewide publicly accessible data. She started with the Land Use map, highlighting the existing land use areas such as open space, residential, commercial, agriculture and tax exempt which is Nickerson Park. Sharon informed the Committee that the terms used may slightly differ from terms the Committee is familiar with for Land Use. She went on to discuss water resources showing where the water resources are located in Brewster. There being no questions from the Committee, Sharon displayed the Transportation resources map showing bus stops, public parking areas, bus routes, cape -wide trails, on -road bike routes, and roadways. It was suggested to take off the road names for more clarity. Jon asked if there was a data layer for sidewalks. Sharon indicated the Cape Cod Commission was working on a study for additional data layers. They moved onto the priority natural resources map, which is a combination of several data layers, including well head protection areas, combined natural landscape, priority habitat for wildlife and rare species, protected open space and flood zones. Hal commented that the maps reflect the survey results for protecting natural areas and the survey comments encouraging housing to be located close to activities within the Town. Patricia asked what the term protected areas means. Sharon Rooney clarified that protected areas could be restricted by conservation and protected from development, or a deed for natural resources and therefore cannot be developed. The Committee went on to view the Historic map, which outlines historic sites within the Town. This includes properties that are registered on the National Register of Historic District. The next map viewed by the Committee was the Coastal Resources map which displays flood zone areas at risk, changing high water shorelines and impacted hurricane areas on the coast lines. Sharon confirmed the map is just flood zones. Sharon displayed the posters developed as part of the town center outreach from the survey. It displays eight choices for a town center including the choice of no town center. Hal informed Sharon Rooney that the big map is displayed in Town Hall, and it calls out the percentages of responses for the Town center choices. Sharon will view after the meeting. Kari asked if the Committee could have access to the maps. Sharon will send to Ellen for distribution. Hal suggested the Committee review the maps for accuracy. Page 1 of 3 • Review and Discuss Building Block recommendations/actions: 1) Community Infrastructure Amanda provided an overview of purposes and actions. She discussed ensuring the Sea camps planning and the LCP be aligned. She highlighted actions such as creating a community center for all ages, repurposing existing structures, developing sidewalks and bicycle paths. Sharon Tennstedt suggested wording to include identifying a site for the community center. 2) Coastal Management Hal provided an overview of the purposes and actions. He indicated the actions were taken from the framework of the Vision Plan, responses from the survey and the Coastal Management plan that is before the National Resources Commission for implementation. Hal highlighted actions such as flood plain bylaw, educating the public on healthy coastal wetlands and the need to protect the areas. He also discussed engaging the Planning Board and stakeholders to evaluate changes in local zoning and expanding access such as beach access, parking and monitoring coastal change. Suzanne suggested adding an action for ADA access. 3) Climate Mitigation Sharon reviewed the purposes and provided the actions within each purpose. She discussed energy audits and increasing energy efficiency, alternative town vehicles, public charging stations, incentives for solar panels for private homes. Jon suggested language for the purposes and actions for climate change that were aligned with the Town's contribution to reducing greenhouse gases. Sharon will make the changes as discussed. 4) Community Character Suzanne provided the Committee with an overview of the purposes and actions. The highlighted areas included repurposing existing structures, preserving historic character, investigating areas for a town center and activity centers and mixed-use areas for parking, walking, and biking. Hal reinforced that 80% of the survey participants indicated that they wanted a town center and over 40% selected Foster Square. Jon suggested although the Committee discussed a town center it is also possible to have multiple activity centers throughout the town. 5) Solid Waste Hal informed the Committee that Solid Waste was not an original Building Block but was added to the list under the Cape Cod Commission's guidance. He discussed recycling and educating the public by conducting a user -wide survey on the use of recycling and how to recycle. Jon suggested adding composting to the recycling list. Amanda suggested a purpose be added to Solid Waste for consistency. Hal will make the changes discussed. 6) Review Recommendations for other Building Blocks Hal asked the Committee if they had any comments on the updated Building Blocks that were reviewed at the last meeting. Amanda provided input on the Water Resources Building Block actions. She suggested adding other incentives for alternative septic systems. She informed the Committee that in general Barnstable County is working towards a process to monitor alternative septic systems and treat them more like a utility. Amanda commented that the Governance actions have not been updated from the last meeting. Sharon will provide the updated version. Jon highlighted under Local Economy the language should be changed from "grow" to "preserve and enhance". Hal suggested changes to Housing. All updates will be made for the final actions. • Review action ideas with Town staff and Stakeholders June 13 & 14 Hal is meeting with Town Administration on Wednesday to discuss the schedule. The next VPC meeting is June 6th. Hal asked if the Committee could have all actions finalized by the next meeting on June 6th. It was decided all revised versions of the actions sent to Sharon by Tuesday, May 24th, Sharon will ensure they are all in the same format. Meeting packets will be sent out on June 2nd for the June 6th meeting. Hal indicated once a confirmed schedule is in place it will be sent out. Building Block teams will meet with the assigned Town staff and will be responsible for finalizing any comments. The schedule has been agreed as follows: Page 2 of 3 1) Revised versions of actions sent to Sharon by Tuesday, May 24 2) June 6th meeting packets sent out Thursday, June 2 3) Review and approve Building Block actions on June 6th meeting 4) Meetings with Town Staff June 13 &14 5) Building Block teams responsible for updating actions after Town Staff meeting 6) VPC meeting scheduled for Monday, June 27 to review and approve final actions with Town Staff 7) July 5th meeting will be canceled • Communication — review current and future actions: Hal highlighted the Cape Codder publication on the survey results. Hal will give an update to the Select Board on June 6th. He stepped through a draft of the presentation with the Committee. Ellen informed the Committee the cost of sending out postcards to thank survey participants is very expensive, and the Committee may want to reconsider. Hal presented at the Department Head meeting the previous week alerting them of the coming discussions. • Update on Sea Camps Planning. Amanda provided an update on the Sea Camps Bay property. She indicated there have begun discussions on scope of work and a detailed tour was conducted. Next month election leadership will be discussed. Hal informed the Committee background on the property was discussed and a more comprehensive tour will be conducted at the next meeting. It was decided that Sea Camps updates will be a regular agenda item. • Update on LCP roadmap and status report on Tighe and Bond tasks. Summary papers are close to being finalized. Once completed they will be sent to Tighe & Bond. Sharon R suggested Cape Cod Commission review. Sharon R informed the Committee the Land Use summary revisions have been completed. • Items for next agenda. Review of the draft actions for all Building Blocks • Review Action Items from May 2"d meeting: Patricia informed the Committee that the action items have been covered. • Next Meeting: Monday, June 6th Room A person to person for Committee members • Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair. None Suzanne made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Amanda seconded the motion, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 6:03 pm. Page 3 of 3