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HomeMy Public PortalAboutVPC 08/15/22 Meeting Packet Town of Brewster Vision Planning Committee 2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631 brewplan@brewster-ma.gov (508) 896-3701 MEETING AGENDA 2198 Main Street, Room A Monday, August 15, 2022 at 3:30 PM 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. Members of the public who wish to access the meeting may do so in the following manner: 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. Additionally, the meeting will be broadcast live, in real time, via Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brewster-ma.gov), or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov). Vision Planning Committee Hal Minis Chair Sharon Tennstedt Vice Chair Amanda Bebrin Andi Genser Patricia Hess Suzanne Kenney Fran Schofield Alex Wentworth Town Planner Jon Idman Admistrative Assistant Ellen Murphy Select Board Liaison Kari Hoffman Finance Committee Liaison Honey Pivirotto 1. Call to Order 2. Declaration of a Quorum 3. Meeting Participation Statement 4. Approval of July 18th meeting minutes 5. Review draft LCP by Tighe & Bond, including public comments on LCP overview & draft Action Plan 6. Discuss preparations for the LCP public hearing 7. Update on Sea Camps Planning 8. Items for next agenda 9. Review Action items from July 18th meeting 10. Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 6th 11. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair 12. Adjournment Date Posted: Date Revised: Received by Town Clerk: 8/11/2022 Page 1 of 2 TOWN OF BREWSTER VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Monday, July 18, 2022, at 3:30PM Hybrid Meeting Hal Minis, Chair, convened the Brewster Vision Planning Committee via remote participation with members: Sharon Tennstedt, Vice Chair, Amanda Bebrin, Suzanne Kenney, Andi Genser, Patricia Hess and Alex Wentworth were present. Fran Schofield was absent. A quorum was determined. Also present: Kari Hoffmann, Jon Idman, Sharon Rooney and Bronwen Walsh 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 July 5th meeting minutes: Sharon stated there was one correction the next meeting date should be changed from August 1st to July 18th, with that correction she made a motion to approve the July 5th meeting minutes, Amanda seconded the motion, a roll call was taken, and the July 5th meeting minutes were approved unanimously.  Review LCP draft summary for public engagement: Hal discussed the draft summary outlining an overview of the entire document to provide an understanding of the full content of the LCP. He asked the Committee to comment on the level of information. Sharon indicated it was too much information and could discourage public comments. Suzanne asked how the summary document would be made available to the public. Hal responded it would be available online and through email as an attachment. He stated that the main goal is to get the public to read the action plan. Jon suggested a one- page summary explaining the LCP and the action plan. Andi agreed the summary was too lengthy and discussed options. Sharon suggested that since the Committee is trying to get most of the comments prior to the hearing the action plan should stay intact. Alex asked if the document will be interactive. Jon suggested reformatting the document and a notice or announcement with hyperlinks on the Town website. Hal suggested reformatting once the plan is finalized. Amanda stated survey participants may want to see the action items that come out of the survey. The Committee discussed the order of the materials and agreed the action plan would be last. Amanda suggested the action plan model the Vision Plan format. Suzanne suggested the headings become lead in lines to capture the reader. Amanda offered to reformat the document. Sharon reminded the Committee of the timeline and suggested getting the request for comments out by the end of the week. Amanda will reformat and re-title the action plan. Bronwen Walsh from the Cape Cod Chronicle who joined the meeting informed the Committee she will be writing an article on the Brewster LCP. Jon suggested putting an advertisement or announcement about the public comment period. Hal suggested we use the same vehicles we used in the past to announce the public comment period. Jon indicated that some explanatory wording was necessary to include in the announcement. He drafted wording that would be appropriate. Patricia will send Jon the articles that have been used in the past. The Committee discussed the draft and decided to use it as a press release. Cape Cod radio was suggested by Andi. Jon will look into it. The Committee will review the completed draft prior to distribution.  Review timeline for preparation and submission of LCP Hal confirmed with Town Administration the public hearing would be on Monday, September 19. The Select Board will host with the Planning Board and the VPC in attendance. This would be a special meeting starting at 6:00. The Committee discussed the duration of the public comment period. Sharon suggested the public comment period end no later than August 12th. Jon and Ellen will put together a matrix as the comments from Page 2 of 2 the public are received. Friday, August 12 will be the deadline for public comments, focusing on getting the public comment request on the Town’s website, Brewster splash page and the Brewster Facebook page by the end of the week, once reviewed by Town Administration. Kari suggested posting the public hearing in advance. The Committee decided to post the public hearing 10 days in advance of the meeting.  Review and discuss LCP draft outline Sharon Rooney stepped through each of the sections of the outline and highlighted the changes from the last meeting. Patricia asked about the Land Use section. Sharon Rooney confirmed Land Use is an overarching element. She confirmed that it is not a Building Block but there is a summary paper. She asked where the Committee wants Land Use to be located in the LCP. It was decided to set it aside for now. Andi asked if the Committee would continue to monitor the implementation of the LCP. Hal confirmed that it is the charge of the VPC to continue to document the implementation. He informed the Committee the way it is describe is to provide an annual monitoring report. Jon suggested the Performance Monitoring section and ongoing obligation be combined with priorities set in the Select Board’s strategic plan in the Implementation Schedule section. This could be referred to as simply the Implementation section. Alex asked if it would include a timeframe or frequency of monitoring. Jon stated the Committee would have to discuss but it should be included in the LCP. Hal suggested that at a minimum it should state the continuation of monitoring the implementation of the Vision Plan. Sharon Rooney provided an update on the Capital Facilities plan. She met with Town Administration and shared the Provincetown Capital Facilities plan format. It will be in a table format and easier to read than a narrative. There were questions from Town staff that she forwarded to Cape Cod Commission for their feedback. She highlighted Capital Facility items from the action plan that will be included in the Capital Facilities plan. They are underway and will have a format back to Town staff for review. Town Administration is anticipating a final version for the LCP for VPC review targeting the first or second week of September. The Capital Facilities plan requires an inventory of the existing Town’s capital facilities and assets which still needs to be incorporated. Sharon informed the Committee she received the completed Housing Production Plan and will be updating the Housing Summary.  Update on Sea Camps Planning: No update for the Bay Parcel or Long Pond, meetings are scheduled for later in the week.  Items for next agenda: a) Word version of LCP b) Public comments to date  Review Action Items from July 5th meeting: Outstanding items include number of hardcopies of the LCP, maps to display in the LCP, additional pictures for the LCP.  Next Meeting: Monday, August 1st Room A person to person for Committee members  Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair: Hal introduced a newly appointed member Alex Wentworth replacing Paul Wallace from the Planning Board. Sharon made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Amanda seconded the motion, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 4:55 pm. Vision Statement – end of Page 1 The LCPs vision statement is a product of significant community input: it reflects the shared values of the Brewster community related to, among other things, future growth and development and resource protection in the town. The town’s vision statement also harmonizes with the regional vision articulated in the Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan. In particular, the town’s visioning process involved “town center” discussions: identifying existing centers of concentrated activity, development and infrastructure in the town, outside of large, unfragmented, natural resource corridors, that might accommodate expanded future housing and economic opportunities. 9. LCP Implementation and Performance Monitoring Implementing the LCP will be the responsibility of numerous Town boards and departments and organizations in the community. The Select Board will hold responsibility for identifying action priorities and overseeing implementation. The primary vehicle for identifying priorities will be the Select Board’s annual rolling strategic planning exercise which, since its start in 2019, has been structured around the goals of the Vision Plan. Moving forward, the LCP will be the framework to ensure the alignment of the Select Board’s strategic plan and the community’s vision. In addition to the Select Board, the Planning Board will play a key role in implementing the LCP, particularly those elements related to land use policy and reforming the Town’s by-laws so that they become better adapted tools for achieving the vision and policy directions of the LCP. Monitoring the implementation of the Vision Plan and LCP and reporting to the community have been part of the Vision Planning Committee’s charge. In 2021, the Committee produced a report on the implementation of the Vision Plan, a simple report that was well received by citizens and Town government. With the LCP becoming the framework for the Select Board’s strategic plans, monitoring implementation becomes an integral part of that process on an annual basis. This will include publishing reports on implementation progress for the Select Board’s internal use and reporting to the public on progress in achieving the community’s goals. solar info language inserted under ‘Green Communities’ bullets on page 46. “The town has 3.18628 total MW of solar generating facilities located on (four) municipal properties: (the transfer station, the Stony Brook and Eddy Schools; and the Captains Golf Course and driving range). The total revenues and savings to the town through leases and offtaking arrangements with other municipal facilities is approximately $273,772.06 (FY22). The total energy savings to the town from the rooftop solar installations on Stony Brook and Eddy Elementary Schools is 256,345.61 kWh (FY22).” LCP Comments 8-9-2022 Thru 8-11-2022 1 Ellen Murphy From:Susan Bridges <susan.bridges@brewsterponds.org> Sent:Wednesday, August 10, 2022 11:04 AM To:brewplan Cc:Peter Lombardi; David Whitney; Cynthia Bingham; Kari Hoffmann; Mary Chaffee; Ned Chatelain; Board of Directors Subject:BPC Board Comments on the Comprehensive Plan Dear Vision Planning Committee (with Peter Lombardi and Select Board on copy), The Board of The Brewster Ponds Coalition applauds the work of the Visioning Committee and the draft document provided to townspeople for comment. It is gratifying for our Board to see how seriously the town is taking water protection issues. We suggest the following additions to the Action Plan which would serve to provide more current scientific knowledge and guidance about nutrient pollution to groundwater, ponds and embayments in Brewster, and more specificity, the actions needed:  In Water Resources, Purpose 2 - Add an explicit statement that the town comprehensive water protection plan be updated to include planning studies and specific actions to address the impact of septic systems on ponds, groundwater, and public and private wells (notably for nutrients and pollutants of emerging concern).  In Water Resources, Purpose 2 - Action 5, add “ In partnership with engaged community-based organizations, educate the public ..."   In Water Resources, Purpose 3 - Add action 5 from Purpose 2 “ In partnership with engaged community-based organizations, educate the public on water quality issues and what people can do to make a difference in their own homes.”  In the Community Infrastructure section, Purpose 3 - Add that an efficient funding method and management entities be established to support the work needed to protect our water resources, including septic system upgrades and land acquisitions. Respectfully, The Brewster Ponds Coalition Board: Susan Bridges, President John Keith, Vice President Nancy Ortiz, Clerk Rob Condon, Treasurer Marty Burke Ron Essig Cameron Ferguson Kevin Kearns Marcia Kielb Mary Mauterstock Konrad Schultz 1 Ellen Murphy From:Jonathon Idman Sent:Wednesday, August 10, 2022 9:01 AM To:Ellen Murphy Subject:FW: Comments on Brewster's Draft Local Comprehensive Plan Attachments:LCP-ActionPlan-JDDraft.docx Jonathon D. Idman Brewster Town Planner (508) 896-3701 x. 1150 From: jill douglas <tawktame@hotmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 7:02 PM To: Jonathon Idman <jIdman@brewster-ma.gov>; Lynn St. Cyr <lstcyr@brewster-ma.gov>; Donna Kalinick <dkalinick@brewster-ma.gov>; Peter Lombardi <plombardi@brewster-ma.gov> Cc: Jill Scalise <jwertz-scalise@brewster-ma.gov> Subject: Comments on Brewster's Draft Local Comprehensive Plan Thank you to all the members of staff and the public who contributed towards this excellent draft. In compliance with the very short 3-week deadline for public comment, please accept my comments on the draft Comprehensive Plan as written. My comments are presented as a red-lined/red-text "review mode" versio n of the original Word file. Please contact me if this does not convey properly and I will hand-deliver a hard copy. I am grateful for the opportunity to comment. - Jillian Douglass 2 BREWSTER’S LOCAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2022 Draft Action Plan Prepared by: The Brewster Vision Planning Committee July 2022 1 COMMUNITY CHARACTER GOAL: Sustain and foster Brewster's historic and archeological values, rural nature, small town feel, and socially inclusive spirit and vitality PURPOSE 1: Provide social opportunities and services for all Actions: ● Expand and enhance service programming for all, including recreational opportunities in a multi-generational community center, and at the former Sea Camps Bay and Long Pond properties ● Identify, develop, and support new services as needed, building on diversity, equity, and inclusion ● Ensure that school facilities and activities meet the needs of young families ● Increase accessibility to all Town activities and facilities. ● Evaluate providing financial support for Pre-K to attract and retain young working families ● Consider using public/governmental powers and resources to acquire property or devepoment rights to encourage new, expanded or higher intensity uses to locate in, or adjacent to existing higher intensity uses. PURPOSE 2: Maintain the Town’s historic heritage and style Actions: ● Support existing regulations and educate public on building design along Rt. 6A to preserve historic character ● Consider sensitivity to historic nature in development of Town projects ● Investigate the need for a Demolition Delay Bylaw and implement if supported PURPOSE 3: Maintain the Town’s small-town feel and scale through appropriate development Actions: Formatted: Right: 0", Space After: 2 pt, Line spacing: Multiple 1.08 li Formatted: Space After: 3.85 pt Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.01", Space After: 3.85 pt 2 ● Explore the establishment of a Town Center and/or activity centers (Village Business Zones) and potential uses ● Consider land use tools to manage the development of a Town Center and/or activity centers ● Review mixed use potential in a Town Center and/or activity centers with parking considerations and a plan for walkable and bike able use ponds, wetlands and their buffers, and marine watersheds OVERARCHING PURPOSE: Continue to up-date and implement the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan PURPOSE 1: Protect town drinking water supply areas by continuing open space acquisition and other measures Actions: ● Continue land purchases to protect the drinking water and limit further development around land that protects the aquifer, coordinate with neighboring towns ● Consider further strengthening drinking water supply protection in industrial zones ● Consider regulating bans, restrictions or management controls over vegetation management practices and chemicals/ materials, which when improperly controlled, applied or released have significant potential to cause incremental or irreversible hazard or damage to water quality, habitat or environmental conditions. ● Evaluate other actions to protect drinking water from the impacts of other land uses PURPOSE 2: Improve pond water quality through public education, regulation, and mitigation activities Actions: ● Promote and research, including through pilot programs, the use of innovative septic systems and other non-traditional wastewater management models, develop financial management assistance programs and/or non-financial incentives and evaluate management and financing options ● Explore the feasibility of cluster sewage treatment systems for multifamily housing areas and neighborhoods that will impact pond water quality where supported by sufficient density ● Fully implement the stormwater bylaw and share further information with the public ● Continue to update pond water quality data and report to the public ● Educate the public on water quality issues and what people can do to make a difference in their own homes ● Pursue land acquisition to protect pond water quality PURPOSE 3: Protect water quality in marine watersheds through public education, regulation, and mitigation activities Actions: • Evaluate the maximum build-out in the Pleasant Bay and Herring River watersheds and its impact on water quality; consider regulations to mitigate impacts WATER RESOURCES GOAL: Protect Brewster's freshwater system to preserve high quality drinking water and maintain or improve the health of our 3 • Promote and research, including through pilot programs, the use of innovative septic systems and other non-traditional wastewater management models, develop financial management assistance programs and/or non-financial incentives, and evaluate management and financing options • Explore the feasibility of cluster sewage treatment systems for multifamily and neighborhoods that will impact marine watershed water quality where supported by sufficient density • Continue exploring nitrogen reduction practices on golf courses • Pursue land acquisition to protect marine watersheds water quality water resources, and contribute to carbon sequestration PURPOSE 1: Improve public access to and expand recreational area use of open space Actions: ● Continue to acquire open space, emphasizing the importance of recreation, the potential for building trail networks, and the positive effect of woodlands in climate mitigation as criteria for land acquisition ● Develop an integrated trail system for the Long Pond Woodlands and former Sea Camps Long Pond property ● Continue to improve public education and information, including guides and signage, about access to and locations of municipal open space assets PURPOSE 2: Prioritize environmentally sensitive areas for preservation Actions: ● Continue to prioritize land acquisition in public drinking water supply areas ● Formalize the criteria to evaluate open space acquisitions ● Emphasize the importance of pond and fragile habitat protection as related to this Purpose PURPOSE 3: Maintain open space through density and development standards Actions: ● Revise regulations and bylaws to direct growth toward areas with public services, economic activities, and transport, and away from environmentally sensitive areas ● Develop design standards to prevent fragmentation of environmentally sensitive areas OPEN SPACE GOAL: Maintain and expand open space assets to provide passive recreation, protect fragile plant and wildlife habitat, protect 4 PURPOSE 4: Maintain open space assets for public resource values Actions: ● Develop and maintain an inventory of all Town-owned open space ● Develop an active management program for Town-owned open space their current housing to remain in the community PURPOSE 1: Achieve the Commonwealth’s goal of 10% affordable housing by 2027 Actions: ● Implement the 2022 Housing Production Plan (HPP) Update ● Collaborate with existing local and regional groups to conduct public forums educating the general public on how housing can be madewhat affordable housing is and why it is important in the Town of Brewster ● Work collaboratively with the State, County and other towns to increase regional affordable housing and household support programs and opportunities for populations needing less expensiveaffordable housing throughout our region. PURPOSE 2: Establish attainable housing by promoting housing choices to allow families, single individuals, older adults, and seasonal workers to live, work, and prosper in the community Actions: ● Review and consider revising, as appropriate, the zoning bylaw to clarify/allow mixed use developments ● Evaluate ADU bylaw to improve efficacy, explore incentives for a greater number of ADUs, and connect owners to community resources ● Support creative funding and collaborative partnerships (public/private) in the development of community housing, including incentives for year-round rentals ● Review and consider revising, as appropriate, the zoning bylaw to clarify/allow for housing to be developed where existing uses are compatible and minimal negative impacts are anticipated ● Evaluate ADU bylaw to improve efficacy, explore incentives and assistance for the production of a greater number of ADUs, and connecting owners to community and support resources. ● Support creative funding and collaborative partnerships (public/private) in the development of community housing, including incentives for year-round rentals and support services for landlords and tenants of year-round affordable housing. ● Work collaboratively with the State, County and other towns to increase regional affordable housing and household support programs and opportunities for populations needing less expensive housing throughout our region.Work collaboratively with other towns to increase opportunities for attainable housing ● Review and evaluate the zoning bylaw with the aim of promoting more opportunities as appropriate for various types and forms of housing, including two-family residential/ duplex; multi-unit/ multi-family residential; and mixed-use residential development, group homes, congregate housing, assisted living programs, short-term and seasonal housing for work and training programs, temporary housing, trailer and camper parks, and emergency shelters. HOUSING GOAL: Provide more affordable, attainable, accessible, safe, and fair housing, and support residents to maintain and preserve Formatted: Highlight Formatted: Highlight Formatted: Highlight Formatted: Highlight Formatted: Highlight Formatted: Highlight Formatted: Highlight Formatted: Highlight Formatted: Space After: 0 pt 5 ● Prioritize and consider incentive programs for the adaptive reuse of existing buildings for housing. ● Evaluate the use of Town-owned properties and propose creative solutions, including reuse of Town owned buildings for housing, such as the former Sea Camps dormitories on the Bay property ● PrioritizeEvaluate the acquisition of land by the Town for housing. ● Encourage housing in areas near transportation, public services, and economic activities ● Expand and enhancelore potential housing programs, opportunities, and funding to secure and maintain year-round permanent and short-term transitional housing for those earning 80% to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) PURPOSE 3: Preserve existing year-round housing Actions: ● Promote ability for residents to transition to different forms of housing and remain in Brewster over a lifetime by providing a wide range of housing choices ● Explore solutions to allow residents to age in place including funding or subsidizing building adaptations or construction programs for, co-housing, group homes, congregate, assisted living, skilled nursing and in-house rehabilitative housing. ● Support and partner with entities to develop networks and programs to assist people seeking roommates and and a review of co-pairing situations. ● Evaluate ADU bylaw to improve efficacy, expandlore incentives, technical assistance to support for a greater number of ADUs, and connect owners to community resources ● Support creative funding and collaborative partnerships (public/private) in the preservation of community housing, including incentives for year-round rentals the vulnerabilities from coastal hazards due to climate change COASTAL MANAGEMENT GOAL: In the context of coastal change, preserve and protect Brewster’s coastal resources, expand public access, and minimize 6 GOAL: In the context of coastal change, preserve and protect Brewster’s coastal resources, expand public access, and minimize PURPOSE 1: Protect coastal resources in ways that preserve coastal ecosystems and the character of the Town and coastal neighborhoods Actions: ● Evaluate and implement local coastal resiliency by-laws and regulations to preserve the scale, character, and resources in the Town’s coastal planning area ● Prohibit activities, uses and facilities occurring in tidal and offshore areas which would damage, negatively impact, threaten or pose hazard to coastal and marine resources, habitats or aesthetics. ● Establish a uniform definition of the 100-year coastal floodplain for local regulations ● Increase public awareness of the importance of healthy coastal wetlands and natural processes, and of the need to protect these resource areas PURPOSE 2: Maintain and expand public access for all through public consensus and explore alternate modes of transport and access points Actions: ● Explore and evaluate the need for, and feasibility of, alternative transport and options for off-site parking in general and for potential retreat parking for Paine’s Creek and Mant’s Landings ● Complete the permitting and construction of the Wing Island Boardwalk and the design and construction of the Drummer Boy Park Master Plan, Phase 1 ● Provide interim access and complete long-term planning for beach access at the First Light Beach property ● Continue to explore opportunities to improve visibility and mobility access at beach landings PURPOSE 3: Adapt to climate change projections and advance adaptation and resiliency techniques that are financially and environmentally sustainable Actions: ● Periodically assess coastal resource conditions for comparison to baseline conditions and on a regional scale, including sediment budget update, storm tide pathways, and a regional framework for resilience ● Explore regulatory options for managed retreat from high-risk coastal areas PURPOSE 4: Provide access for coastal water dependent activities Actions: ● Provide access for commercial aquaculture by updating regulations, evaluating the designation of an Aquaculture Development Area, and analyzing the costs and benefits of expanding shell fishing and aquaculture ● Provide opportunities for commercial shellfish harvesting by up-dating regulations COASTAL MANAGEMENT Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.26" Formatted: Indent: Left: 0" 7 ● Expand propagation and other activities to support recreational shell fishing ● Manage competing uses at town landings and mooring areas ● PURPOSE 1: Preserve and enhance Brewster’s economy based on the Town’s natural and cultural resources Actions: ● Develop an economic development strategy that builds on Brewster’s natural, cultural, and human resources and aims to maintain existing small businesses and attract new small businesses ● Work proactively with the Brewster Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders to refine a mutually beneficialcommon marketing strategy ● Provide more information, including signage and online material, to help visitors find their way to public resources, businesses, and other amenities in town ● Consider the impact of Town facilities in anchoring community activity centers and connecting amenities/services w/potential users and beneficiaries whenin making capital investment decisions PURPOSE 2: Maintain and attract small businesses compatible with the Town’s character and promote yearround employment Actions: ● Review and revise bylaws and regulations to allow a greater variety of small business, including in-home businesses, compatible with the Town’s character ● Build public awareness/understanding of the concept of form- based zoning. Consider form-based zoning to focus on the compatibility and intensity of impacts, as well as the physical form of development, rather than on the type of business ● Develop a guide to doing business for local businesses in Brewster ● Continue to implement online permitting to clarify and simplify the permitting process LOCAL ECONOMY GOAL: Promote a sustainable economy that builds on Brewster’s natural and human assets, addresses the needs of small businesses, and provides year-round employment for Brewster’s potentially working or ”willing to work” population young families Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.01", Hanging: 0.26", No bullets or numbering 8 PURPOSE 1: Continue to communicate Town plans and activities to residents and simplify structured systems, timelines and methods to increase public input Actions: ● Develop a written Communications Plan that will bothto better inform residents about Town affairs and allow them sufficient time and opportunity to provide input in flexible mediums. ● Continue to provide news and announcements on the Town website, cable PEG TV, radio, via traditional, print and on social media ● Simplify methods for interested parties to subscribe to regular, periodic updates on their chosen topics/issues via their chosen method and media (not just electronically) ● Provide updated and relevant information on the Town website, including Town finances, projects, permitting processes, and other initiatives ● Establish reliable distribution locations and sites for regular information drops and updates on specific or requested issues/ topics/activities/programs/projects of public interest. PURPOSE 2: Expand the volunteer base to increase the use of citizen expertise and build diversity in decision-making Actions: ● Develop and launch a Citizens Leadership Academy to help introduce residents to government services and volunteer opportunities ● Continue the use of Town-wide activities and ad hoc committees to engage residents in Town affairs ● Develop a central database of volunteers to assist with recruitment of qualified volunteers across all Town Departments and appointed Committees ● Acknowledge contributions of active volunteers and recognize volunteers publicly, or privately if desired, when they complete their commitment or make unique accomplishments in order to improve volunteer retention PURPOSE 3: Continue to strengthen the customer service approach to Town services Actions: ● Develop a resource section on the Town website that includes educational materials including videos (e.g., by link to Vimeo, BGTV or LCTV files) and fact sheets on topics such as responsibilities of Town Departments, zoning, permitting, ADUs, and other matters of high interest ● Develop a ‘How to Do Business Guide’ for homeowners to explain permitting processes GOVERNANCE GOAL: Provide an inclusive Town government that encourages participation by all residents by engaging in two-way communication, expanding volunteer opportunities, and providing customer friendly service Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.01", Hanging: 0.26", No bullets or numbering 9 transportation options, and expanded recreational opportunities. OVERARCHING PURPOSE: This goal, the Town’s Capital Plan, and the Select Board’s Strategic Plan shall inform one another and shall be applied in harmony and aligned with one another. PURPOSE 1: Plan and design Town building and construction projects to benefit the broad cross-section of all users and interests in the community Actions: ● Include enhanced universal accessibility and alternative participation options where feasible on Town properties, programs and projects ● Move forward on a needs assessment for a multi-generational community center, including potential sites, users and, as applicable, next steps related to results of the School Consolidation Feasibility Study and the Bay Property comprehensive planning process ● Implement the updated Master Plan for Drummer Boy Park, allowing for future reductions, scale-backs of structures and suspensions of activities when absorption capacities are exceeded. ● Complete the comprehensive planning processes for, and begin implementation of, the plans for the Bayside and Long Pond properties at a relaxed pace, so the public has full opportunity to process, explore, participate and provide input/feedback PURPOSE 2: Provide enhanced recreational opportunities, access and facilities for all Actions: ● Develop a town-wide plan for expanding bike and pedestrian paths and sidewalks, possibly including road improvement priorities, reducing speed limits, a Complete Streets design which is compatible with Brewster’s character, and/or nonroad- based path opportunities ● Pursue the development of the Cape Cod Rail TrailCRT extension from Nickerson State Park to Cape Cod Bay including the consideration of alternatives for crossing Rte. 6A COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE GOAL: Maintain and enhance town infrastructure in an environmentally and economically sustainable way that supports government services, opportunities for community interaction, the local economy and culture, public health, multi-modal 10 PURPOSE 3: Plan and design traditional infrastructure projects like road improvements and maintenance to best serve the needs of the overall community, limit environmental impacts, and balance fiscal impacts, while enhancing or re-purposing existing under-utilized assets and/ excess capacities. Actions: ● Factor, budget, and set aside long-term improvement and maintenance costs in the funding for capital projects PURPOSE 1: Reduce the waste stream Actions: ● Implement an ongoing multi-media public education campaign to reduce the waste stream including re-purposing and re-using items and optimizing recycling ● Enhance and publicize regional waste collection initiatives such as hazardous waste collection ● Further investigate opportunities between Brewster and regional initiatives for solid waste management PURPOSE 2: Improve the efficiency of the solid waste facility Actions: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GOAL: To manage a municipal solid waste system that protects public health, safety, and the environment, optimizes financial methods, communicates effectively with users, and employs innovative strategies to reduce solid waste and related costs 11 ● Improve communications with the public concerning Recycling Center operations, practices, and policies using a variety of print and electronic media channels ● Conduct a Recycling Center study and site analysis including traffic circulation, optimal use of space, safety, and potential re-use options 12 and renewable energy that protects the Town’s natural resources PURPOSE 1: Reduce the town’s contribution to and vulnerability to climate change Actions: ● Develop and implement a Net Zero Energy Plan for the Town’s assets and operations ● Implement the MEMA/FEMA approved 2021 Local MultiHazard Mitigation Plan ● Consider specific actions for reducing energy use, including completing energy audits in all Town buildings; specifying actions regarding increased energy efficiency in existing and newly constructed Town buildings; locating solar panels/arrays on Town buildings and facilities; and purchasing alternative energy Town vehicles when due for replacement ● Encourage solar panels on commercial and residential buildings or parking lot canopies/carports that maintain the Town character ● Work with private entities to install public charging stations at appropriate municipal or publicly accessible locations ● Consider provision of financial incentives and/or assistance for installation of solar panels on private homes ● Modify or re-locate town infrastructure and buildings to reduce the potential damage due to climate change such as flooding PURPOSE 2: Review and update Town bylaws and regulations to mitigate projected climate change impacts Actions: ● Review zoning bylaws to consider and develop amendments for consistency with this goal, including the existing solar bylaw and small-scale solar installations to minimize loss of trees and vegetation, and optimize co-location and uses/activities below the functioning panels. ● Clarify design guidelines for the Historic District regarding renewable energy ● Review and consider revising existing Town bylaws and regulations dealing with fertilizer management ● Foster natural carbon sequestration by amending Town bylaw to limit the clearing of forested land, including for solar farms; and exploring opportunities to restore degraded native plant communities ● Review zoning bylaws to determine if they promote efficient development patterns that will encourage a walkable and bikeable community PURPOSE 3: Build awareness about the nature of climate change and Town efforts to mitigate climate change Actions: ● Develop an Education and Preparedness Campaign for the general public and the business sector that includes guidance CLIMATE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION GOAL: Support and advance the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, including promoting sustainable energy use 13 and checklists for reducing fossil fuel use, as well as recommendations to increase community resilience to the impacts 1 Ellen Murphy From:glenncasey@aol.com Sent:Thursday, August 11, 2022 12:24 PM To:brewplan Subject:Brewster LCP 2022 Draft - Citizens Comments The The Brewster Local Comprehensive Plan 2022 - Action Plan Draft and the LCP Overview comes across as being someone schizophrenic when you read through the documents. It appears the Town of Brewster has competing interests with conflicting agendas and goals that they gathered information from and than package it up in single documents. It comes across as being diametrically opposed to itself within the same documents. So clear land for housing but save forest land for nature and climate goals. Their literally is verbiage under the “Climate Mitigation” section of the under “Actions” about forest land and trees reducing carbon. The “Water Resources” and “Open Space” goals includes preserving ponds and forest lands (including reducing development, reducing septic systems and even buying forest land for preservation) in order to preserve water resources and natural resources, While the “Housing Goals” includes the Millstone Subsidized SHI project which includes cutting 16 acres of Forest land with 3,000 trees for “Affordable Housing.” The LCP goals talk about reducing cluster septic for water preservation while adding cluster septic for potentially 100 residents at Millstone’s Subsidized Housing.? One groups goal is the opposite of the other group or committee’s goals and the document reads just like this mis-alignment. What Do Brewster Residents Want: A recent Town of Brewster Survey (with a participation rate of over 25%) adds clarity to what the residents want. The 2,300 residents gave some clear direct ion in the results. Only about 5% of the participants believe that “Multi-Unit Housing” is very important while 60% strongly believe that “open Spaces” such as Forest Land and Conservation land is important. The survey even implies that natural resources such as these lands should be purchased and regulated to maintain “Open Spaces” and “Water Resouces”. Not my opinion, the opinions of over 2,300 Town of Brewster Residents who rate Forest Land over Subsidized Housing by 12-1 majority. Millstone Subsidized Housing Project appears to be the opposite of what residents of the Town Of Brewster believe are priorities and next steps for our Town. The Town of Brewster may want to reconsider the Millstone Subsidized Housing Project in it's entirety or at least call a "time out" to the process so these results can be digested the impact environmentally and financially can be incorporate into accurate information planning based on residents input? There has been no State Environmental Impact Study, there has been no County Environmental Impact Study, There has been no Town Of Brewster Environmental Impact study…there has been no Enironmental Impact Study to the Forest, the animals, the water resources or the echo system at all. Wouldn’t the Town of Brewster want to understand the impact of destroying the Forest Land? I have walked the 16 acres of pristine land untouched by development for over 500 years. Trees that tower 80-100 feet tall. Walking an acre it is easy to count 200-300 significant trees over a 220 feet by 220 square foot acre. Hence the 3,000 plus tree estimate in the Millstone Forest. Below my signature is one of one of the many comments I had made over the last 3 years to The Brewster Affordable Housing Trust (BAHT), The Town of Brewster and Peter Lombardi the Town Administrator and Chief Procurement Officer for the Millstone Affordable Housing Project. I hope the Town of Brewster can come up with a cohesive and “fully aligned” Local Comprehensive Plan - 2022 and also look more closely at the destruction of Millstone Forest land in a Rampantly Environmentally Destructive and Ridiculously Expensive Millstone Subsidized Housing Plan. In short, fix the LCP to reflect citizens priorities with “common goals” and “common sense”. 2 Respectfully, Glenn P. Casey 288 Fletcher Lane. “This is some of the oldest Forest land and tallest trees on all of Cape Cod. Recent development projects in Brewster tend to clear-cut all trees and than plant back a few. This could create the loss of 3,200 to 4,800 significant trees. This will directly effect the entire environmental system of all plant life as well as the wildlife echo system of the wildlife (at a minimum) I have observed including : bald eagles, red tailed hawks, spotted owls,screech owl, finch,warbler, turns,deer, coyotes, eastern cotton tail rabbits, endangered box turtles, skunk, chipmunk, squirrel, snakes, red tail fox, silver fox, woodpecker to mention a few. Has the Town Of Brewster or State of Massachusetts done any kind of environmental and wildlife echo systems impact study and if so by who and please name. This project has also increased from $22M to over $24M when adjusted for inflation only and is over a year away from negotiating construction costs. This is fast approaching almost $750,000 for 1-2 bedroom subsidized apartment units! Maybe we need to look at how to "Save Millstone Forest" before we execute Land Development Agreements to and clear cut such a town jewel and replace it with Subsidized Hosing and septic systems?” Sent from the all6 months. new AOL app for iOS Actions VPC Meeting July 18 2022 Action Responsibility Time Re format Draft Summary and amend as discussed ; send to VPC Jon and Amanda ASAP (July 21) Post/Send notice of LCP document for public comment on town website and to any print and social media as appropriate and stakeholder organizations Jon July 25 Check with Lyn to get e mail addresses of stakeholder groups; give to VPC members for distribution Jon and All By July 22 Gather any comments to VPC for next meeting Jon and Sharon By Aug 11 Think about number of hardcopies needed and how maps can be displayed All Aug 1 Next Meeting All Aug 1