HomeMy Public PortalAboutPlanning Board -- 2022-10-12 Minutes\\\��0�ag1wrrs,T Brewster Planning Board
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r Brewster, MA 02631-1898
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BREWSTER PLANNING BOARD JOINT MEETING WITH
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SELECT BOARD AND VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Brewster Town Office Building (virtual)
Approved: 10/26/22
Vote: 6-0-0
Chair Madalyn Hillis -Dineen convened a remote meeting of the Planning Board at 6:30 pm with the following members
participating remotely: Amanda Bebrin, Charlotte Degen, Tony Freitas, Rob Michaels and Alex Wentworth. Elizabeth Taylor
was not present. Also participating remotely: Jon Idman, Town Planner and Lynn St. Cyr, Senior Department Assistant.
Hillis -Dineen declared that a quorum of the Planning Board was present.
Select Board Chair David Whitney declared a quorum of the Select Board with Cindy Bingham, Mary Chaffee, Ned
Chatelain and Kari Hoffmann present. Also participating remotely Peter Lombardi, Town Administrator and Donna
Kalinick, Assistant Town Administrator.
Vision Planning Committee (VPC) Chair Hal Minis declared a quorum of the VPC with Sharon Tennstedt, Amanda Bebrin,
Andi Genser, Patricia Hess, Sue Kenney, and Alex Wentworth present. Fran Schofield was not present. Also
participating remotely: Ellen Murphy, VPC Administrator,
Pursuant#o 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. 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).
The Planning Board packet can be found on the Planning Department page on the Town of Brewster website
(www. brewster-ma. gov).
6:34 PM CITIZEN'S FORUM
No citizen comments.
6:36 PM PUBLIC HEARING
The Planning Board Select Board and Vision Planninq Committee will review discuss and potentially vote on the final
draft 2022 Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP) prepared by the Vision Planning Committee (VPC).
Documents:
• 09/29/22 Email from Chloe Schaefer of the Cape Cod Commission
• 10/12/22 Public Hearing Presentation on Brewster's Local Comprehensive Plan
• Final Draft Local Comprehensive Plan, October 2022
Motion by Planning Board Member Bebrin to Open the Public Hearing. Second by Degen. Roll call vote:
Michaels -aye; Freitas -aye; Bebrin-aye; Degen-aye; Wentworth -aye; and Hillis -Dineen -aye. Taylor was not
present. Vote:6-0-0.
Motion by Select Board Member Mary Chaffee to Open the Public Hearing. Second by Hoffmann. Roll call vote:
Bingham -aye; Chaffee -aye; Chatelain-aye; Hoffmann -aye; and Whitney -aye. Vote: 5-0-0.
Hal Minis, Chair of the Vision Planning Committee (VPC), made a presentation on Brewster
's Local Comprehensive Plan
(LCP). Minis stated that the LCP describes how Brewster looks today and where it would like to go in the future. The
LCP provides direction to help guide the Town particularly in land use decisions. The LCP is not law or a regulation. It
does not create a mandate or requirements. The LCP has been prepared with guidance from the Cape Cod Commission.
PB Minutes 10/12/22 Page 1 of 5
Minis summarized the VPC's work on the LCP. The LCP was prepared based on Brewster's 2018 Vision Plan. The
Vision Plan and its 8 building blocks were the framework for the LCP. Two new building blocks have been added: climate
mitigation and adaptation and solid waste. Minis stated that in February 2022, the VPC conducted the Next Steps surrey
based on the proposed land use actions from the Vision Plan. The Vision Plan summary papers were also updated.
Based on the results of the Next Steps survey, the VPC formulated an Action Plan. The Action Plan was reviewed by
Town staff and a draft LCP was put out for public comment. Minis reviewed public involvement in the LCP including the
Next Steps survey which had 2300 participants, and public comment periods for the Action Plan, LCP Overview, and draft
LCP. The LCP will be presented at Town Meeting for approval.
Minis summarized sections of the LCP which include Brewster's Vision, Community Engagement, Building Blocks -Existing
Conditions and Issues, the Action Plan by building block, the Capital Facilities Plan, the 2022 Housing Production Plan
Update Summary, Implementation and Performance Monitoring, and Supporting Town Plans and Policies. Minis thanked
all those who contributed to the LCP.
Planning Board member Elizabeth Taylorjoined the meeting.
Hillis -Dineen invited the Planning Board to comment on the draft LCP. Michaels and Wentworth both stated that the LCP
was an impressive document and thanked the VPC for their work on the plan. Bebrin stated that the VPC has engaged
the public throughout the LCP process by mailing postcards to all homeowners, engaging 2300 participants in the survey
and organizing pop ups in the community. The feedback, from both the public and Town staff, was considered and used
to make changes to the plan. Bebrin noted that the LCP is a guidance document that will be used to guide the Town for
the next 6A 0 years. The LCP includes over 100 action items which will take on their own engagement process to move
forward. Degen also appreciated the work that went into the LCP and suggested a definitions section be included. Taylor
suggested the reference to the Herring River watershed being protected under recent actions by the Town (page 26) be
removed as that has not yet happened. Taylor stated that there is no reference to the Grow Smart mapping project by
HAC and APCC in the plan and she thinks it is an important document that should be included. Minis responded that the
map did not come to Brewster until after the technical review for the LCP was complete. The Town can consider
integrating the map. Taylor asked if the Town, under the Governance building block, has considered working with Open
Cape to help expand internet availability for residents. Minis responded that this document is not a complete listing of
every action that will be taken by the Town. Additional actions may be taken. Freitas also stated that he appreciated the
work done on the LCP and supports the plan. Hillis -Dineen also expressed support for the plan and all the work that has
gone into its creation.
Whitney invited Select Board members to comment on the draft LCP. Chaffee noted the importance of the LCP as a
Town planning document and thanked the VPC for their work. Bingham stated that the LCP was a document the VPC
and Town should be proud and appreciated the VPC's work on the LCP, Hoffmann thanked the VPC for their efforts and
reminded everyone that the LCP is a guidance document not law or regulation. Hoffmann also stated that she
appreciated the efforts of both the Vision Advisory Group and the VPC to solicit public comment on the Vision Plan and
the LCP. Chatelain thanked the VPC, Town staff and the public for all their work and time given to the LCP. Whitney also
thanked the VPC for all their hard work.
Hillis -Dineen invited members of the public to provide comments.
Ben Mc Kelway, 1802 Main Street, asked that the boards not approve the draft LCP as it relates to actions that call for
implementation of the Drummer Boy Park Master Plan. Mc Kelway requested that all references to a boardwalk or
walkway linking Drummer Boy Park to Wing Island be deleted from the LCP. He expressed his opposition to concept
plans that have been presented for the boardwalk and expressed concern that the boardwalk would negatively impact the
scenic view.
Lori Shockley, a resident, stated that she had concerns with the integrity of the planning committee and their work on the
LCP. She feels that her views along with the views of a larger group have not been considered. Shockley also feels that
the LCP process has been rushed and there are environmental issues that need to be addressed. She requested any
reference to the boardwalk to Wing Island be removed from the LCP. Additionally, she expressed concern about
misinformation in the community including inaccurate information being shared regarding access to Wing Island. She
noted that the draft LCP states that the plan has already been adopted and felt that was troubling.
PB Minutes 10/12/22 Page 2 of 5
Len Egert, a resident, appreciates the work that has gone into the LCP but feels the plan is tainted with a tacit approval of
the Wing Island project. Egert recognized that the plan is not providing policy, but it does give guidance for land use. He
stated that the Wing Island boardwalk project is troubling and faces growing opposition. Egert stated that state and federal
review of the project may be required. He asked that any reference to the Wing Island boardwalk be removed from the
LCP as further review and public comment is necessary. He asked that a vote on the LCP be postponed as further review
of the boardwalk project is needed.
Rebekah Powers, 440 Main Street, is strongly opposed to any boardwalk to Wing Island referenced in the LCP. Powers
stated that she is usually supportive of access to open spaces, but this is a sensitive area and access may need to be
limited.
John Depuy, 835 Main Street, stated that the LCP is an excellent plan except for the references to Wing Island and
Drummer Boy Park. He supports the request to remove those references from the plan.
Carol Marcy, a resident, stated that she supports accessibility to Brewster's beautiful spaces but a viewing deck in
Drummer Boy Park or at the beach at the Sea Camps property would be more accessible than a boardwalk to Wing
Island.
Janice Riley, 32 Old Red Top Road, stated that the LCP includes the Drummer Boy Park Master Plan. Also, there are
references within the LCP to implementing the Drummer Boy Park Master Plan and there is confusion as to what
'implement" means. Riley stated that residents are seeking clarification and asking that the plan be revised to exclude
references to implementing the Drummer Boy Park Master Plan.
Gillian MacKenzie, 373 Stony Brook Road, urged the boards not to approve the LCP as drafted and to remove all
references to Drummer Boy Park from the plan. She encouraged board members to stand true to the Vision Plan which
supports public engagement and collaboration.
Minis responded to comments made by MacKenzie and stated that the VPC discussed how to present the Executive
Summary in the LCP and opted to use the language that would be used to present the plan at Town Meeting. The
language is in no way meant to project that the LCP has already been approved. Minis noted that in a previous draft of
the LCP the Wing Island boardwalk project was listed under action items but in response to public comment received the
reference to Wing Island under action items was removed. Minis stated that the LCP is a high-level planning document
and that there will be further public discussion and engagement on action items.
Lynne Hamlyn, a professional wetlands scientist and environmental consultant, stated that she believes the boardwalk
proposed at Wing Island would require local, state, and federal permng. She expressed concerns that the designs
being shared with the public cannot meet permitting requirements. Hamlyn also expressed concern with the lack of
information regarding costs of the boardwalk and costs of permitting the boardwalk.
Chris Powicki, 2042 Main Street, thanked the VPC for their work on the LCP. Powicki stated that the LCP should not be
approved as it did not allow public participation, the scope is too narrow, and it lacks specific community wide
performance measures for assessing progress. Powicki stated that more public engagement is necessary before the plan
is presented for a vote at Town Meeting.
Len Egert stated that the Chair should be accepting comment from anyone who wishes to speak and that it is not
necessary for speakers to provide new information during the public comment period.
Laura Eldredge, a resident, stated that there have been rumors in the community that a 50 -space parking lot was being
added to Drummer Boy Park. She asked if that was necessary if the boardwalk project did not happen. She also
expressed budget concerns given the recent purchase of the Sea Camps property. She stated that an important matter
such as the LCP should not be up for discussion at an indoor Fall Town Meeting given concerns with COVID and the
number of people who head out of town at that time.
Hillis -Dineen asked for follow up comments from the Planning Board. Freitas was not present. Taylor wondered whether
any of the issues raised during the hearing create a need to postpone Town Meeting. De
gen does not have concerns
with approving the LCP. She understands the concerns raised by the public but believes there are processes in place
through various boards and committees for additional review of the recommended action items. Michaels stated that in
PB Minutes 10/12/22 Page 3 of 5
reviewing the LCP, he understands the concerns raised by the public regarding the boardwalk project and the Drummer
Boy Park Master Plan. Hillis Dineen stated that the plan will go through various phases of development.
Idman stated that references to the boardwalk project in the LCP are made in the existing conditions section and exist as
fact as the Town has explored the Wing Island boardwalk project. Idman agreed with Minis that the heart of the LCP is in
the action items. He noted that the VPC voted to remove reference to the Wing Island boardwalk project from the action
items. The VPC also discussed the Drummer Boy Master Plan and did not see the boardwalk project as part of that plan.
Idman appreciated the comments made by the public but noted that the Wing Island boardwalk project is not part of the
action items in the LCP. Further, Idman stated that the fact that an item appears in the LCP action list does not mandate
the Town to move forward with that item. Also, the fact that a project does not appear in the LCP action list does not mean
the Town cannot move forward with that project. The purpose of the LCP is to give policy guidance to the Town to inform
them in land use decisions over the next 10 plus years.
Whitney requested additional comments from the Select Board. Bingham stated that she thought the Town had come a
long way with engaging the public but listening to public comment during the hearing it appears the Town has a long way
to go. She stated that although the Wing Island project is not an action item in the LCP, the Town needs to listen to the
concerns raised and work on addressing them or the LCP may not pass at Town Meeting. Chaffee stated that there are a
lot of action items in the LCP and everyone may not agree on all of them but that does not mean certain items should be
deleted. There will be additional review and engagement on the action items as they are moved forward. Chaffee stated
that this document is not a mandate, but a guide based on many years of work in the Town. In response to public
comments made, Chaffee stated that she knows of no instance or complaints in which members of the public were treated
negatively by Town government based on their political views or opinions. Chatelain appreciated the thoughtful public
comment offered by the public. He is concerned because he understands that the LCP is a policy document, but the
public appears to be confused as to the LCP's purpose. Chatelain stated that additional work needs to be done by the
Town to get accurate information out to the public on both the LCP and the Wing Island boardwalk project. Hoffmann
thanked the public for their comments. She noted the extensive efforts the VPC had taken to engage the public
throughout the LCP proves. Hoffmann stated that the LCP is a very important and comprehensive document and there
will be additional opportunity for public input on action items.
Lori Shockley stated that the LCP was a mandate for the Town and that it is an important document that is being rushed
through a self-imposed deadline. Shockley stated that it is a comprehensive document and there has not been enough
time given to the Town and the public to review it. She asked that the vote on the LCP be delayed allowing for more
public discourse on the plan.
Bebrin reiterated that the LCP is not a mandate but a guide to be used by the Town for the next several years. There will
bC; additional public engagement on the action items listed in the LCP.
Motion by Bebrin to Close the Public Hearing. Second by Michaels. Roll call vote: Michaels -aye; Wentworth -aye;
Degen-aye; Taylor -aye; Bebrin-aye; Hillis -Dineen -aye; Chatelain-aye; Whitney -aye; Bingham -aye; Chaffee -aye;
and Hoffmann -aye. Freitas was not present. Vote: 11-0-0.
Hillis -Dineen asked for additional comments from members of the public bodies. Minis reminded people that the LCP was
a first step that outlines directions and provides guidance but does not hold the Town to specific actions. As the Planning
Board and Select Board move forward with the LCP details and specific actions, there will be additional public debate.
Motion by Tennstedt to Recommend Adoption of the Draft Local Comprehensive Plan As Presented. Second by
Wentworth. Minis asked for any discussion on the motion. Lombardi stated that the plan adopted tonight will be the plan
voted on at Town Meeting. The vote at Town Meeting will be for or against the LCP. There will not be opportunity to
amend elements of the plan at Town Meeting. Genser asked the VPC if they believed additional public comment was
necessary before bringing the LCP to Town Meeting. Bebrin noted edits to the LCP made by the VPC including removing
references to the Wing Island boardwalk project from the action items. She stated that she was unsure what further edits
could be made regarding that specific issue. She recommended further public engagement and education on the LCP.
Bebrin reminded everyone of the collective work that has gone on in the Town over several years to bring the LCP
forward and supports recommending the adoption of the LCP and bringing it to Town Meeting. Tennstedt stated that it
was important for the Town to educate the community about the LCP. Roll call vote: Tennstedt-aye; Bebrin-aye;
Genser-aye; Hess -aye; Kenney -aye; Wentworth -aye; and Minis -aye. Schofield not present. Vote: 7-0-0.
PB Minutes 10/12/22 Page 4 of 5
Motion by Hoffmann to Endorse the Draft Local Comprehensive Plan As Presented and Recommended by the
Vision Planning Committee. Second by Bingham. Hoffmann reminded everyone that the action items are not
mandated and are not regulations or bylaws and that there will be more public discussion on the action items moving
forward. Hoffmann stated that there will also be further discussion on the Wing Island boardwalk project. Bingham
reiterated that there will be further public engagement on the Wing Island project and that it is not a done deal. She stated
that any references to the project in the LCP do not make it a done deal. Roll call vote: Chatelain-aye; Chaffee -aye;
Bingham -aye; Hoffmann -aye; and Whitney -aye. Vote: 5-0-0.
Degen asked how to move forward with corrections suggested by herself and Taylor. Idman stated that to the extent
there are not substantive changes to the plan, errata sheets can be sent to the Planning Department noting scrivener's
errors. Idman stated that he reviewed page 26 as referenced by Taylor and does not believe any corrections are needed.
He also stated that adding a definition section to the LCP at this time could be problematic.
Motion by Degen to Endorse the Draft Local Comprehensive Plan As Presented. Second by Michaels. Roll call
vote: Michaels -aye; Wentworth -aye; Bebrin-aye; Degen-aye; Taylor -aye; and Hillis -Dineen -aye. Freitas was not
present. Vote:6-0-0.
Motion by Genser to Adjourn the Vision Planning Committee Meeting. Second by Tennstedt. Roll call vote:
Tennstedt-aye; Bebrin-aye; Genser-aye; Hess -aye; Kenney -aye; Wentworth -aye; and Minis -aye. Vote: 7-0-0. VPC
meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.
Motion by Hoffmann to Adjourn the Select Board Meeting. Second by Chatelain. Roll call vote: Chaffee -aye;
Bingham -aye; Chatelain-aye; Hoffmann -aye; and Whitney -aye. Vote: 5-0-0. Select Board meeting adjourned at
8:39 pm.
8:40 PM PLANNING.DISCUSSION................
Approval of Meeting Minutes: September 28, 2022.
The Board reviewed the September 28, 2022 meeting minutes. Motion by Degen to Approve September 28, 2022
Meeting Minutes. Second by Michaels. Roll call vote: Michaels -aye; Wentworth -aye; Bebrin-aye; Degen-aye;
Taylor -aye; and Hillis -Dineen -aye. Freitas was not present. Vote: 6-0-0.
8:41 PM COMMITTEE REPORTS
Hillis -Dineen announced the Community Housing Forum taking place at the Brewster Ladies Library on October 27, 2022.
8:43 PM FOR YOUR INFORMATION
St. Cyr announced the CPTC workshop on October 20, 2022 and reminded board members that registration fees were
reimbursable.
Motion by Bebrin to Adjourn. Second by Degen. Roll call vote: Michaels -aye; Wentworth -aye; Bebrin-aye;
Taylor -aye; Degen
-aye; and Hillis -Dineen -aye. Freitas was not present. Vote: 6-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Next Planning Board Meeting Date: 10/26/22
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn St. �y� Senior Depa�t)fnent Assistant, Planning
PB Minutes 10/12/22 Page 5 of 5