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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBay Parcel Planning -- 2024-03-12 MinutesTown of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 MINUTES OF THE BAY PROPERTY PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING DATE: March 12, 2024 TIME: 4:00 PM PLACE: Hybrid Participation —Zoom/2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA PARTICIPANTS: Town Manager Peter Lombardi, Vice -Chair Katie Jacobus, Chair Amanda Bebrin, Selectperson Mary Chaffee, Karl Fryzel, Caroline McCarley, Patricia Hughes (remote), Peter Johnson, John Phillips, Liaisons/Representatives: Bill Meehan, Jan Crocker, Kathleen Walker Town Staff: Mike Gradone (Recreation Department Director), Elton Cutler (COA Director), Griffin Ryder (DPW Director) Absent: Clare O'Connor -Rice, Thomas Wingard, Selectperson David Whitney Call to Order Declaration of a Qjorum, Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement: Vice -Chair Katie Jacobus called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Vice -Chair Jacobus read the meeting participation statement and Clerk Karl Fryzel read the recording statement. Vice -Chair Jacobus announced all members of the committee who were present, a quorum was declared. There were no public announcements or comments. Public Announcements and Comments None Review Draft Presentation Materials and Committee Outreach Activities Town Manager Peter Lombardi introduced the updated draft presentation materials, noting that the original PowerPoint would have been too long for providing an overview at public information sessions and group outreach presentations. Mr. Lombardi and Donna Kalinick therefore worked to reduce the slide count by close to half, and reshuffled content to prioritize important information. Mr. Lombardi noted that there was a logistical challenge with the presentation software (InDesign), which the Reed Hilderbrand team used — Town staff do not have access to this software. During the remaining time left working with the Town, Reed Hilderbrand will help to refine these materials. As an example of what has been removed, the FAQs have been pulled out, but will be available for staff and committee use during Q&A sessions. In advance of Town Meeting, the Town will host two information sessions. The first will be held on Monday April 29 at 6PM and it will cover all articles on the warrant besides the Sea Camps plans. The second session, focusing entirely on the Sea Camps plans, will be on Tuesday April 30 at 6PM — Mr. Lombardi noted that the updated version of the presentation would be used during this session. This presentation will also be used for providing an overview at public information sessions and group outreach presentations. Mr. Lombardi asked the committee to provide feedback on the draft presentation. BPPC 03.12.2024 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 1 of 5 Doc ID: cf7cfc398c18803faf2b38814e7b5f6110bb520c Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Karl Fryzel asked if committee members would be expected to visit different locations to deliver these presentations, considering that not every community group may have the capacity to host a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Lombardi responded that this would depend on the group in question. Caroline McCarley asked if this presentation would be available in hard copy. Mr. Lombardi responded that staff could make a limited number of hard copies, and make them available at the COA, Ladies Library, and Town Hall. Mr. Fryzel asked if there could be a slide about the warrant articles, particularly in terms of clarity on what a "yes" or "no" vote means at Town Meeting, and if the articles could be amended on the floor. Mr. Lombardi responded that this information would be included. Mr. Fryzel also asked what kind of overlay zoning is required for this project, as this is referenced on a slide. Mr. Lombardi replied that municipal uses are normally exempt from zoning, but that there may be some uses with this project that aren't necessarily exempt, such as housing and the Nature Centre —the Town anticipates there will therefore need to be an overlay brought forward at Town Meeting. Mr. Fryzel also suggested adding slides on the financial implications for residents, including future tax impacts. Mr. Fryzel also asked that the need for a Community Center feasibility study should be explained in this presentation. Mr. Fryzel added that, if any of this supplementary financial information is not added to the slides, the material should be provided to committee members to be able to speak about when meeting with residents. Selectperson Chaffee asked why, in terms of partnerships on the Bay property, Mass Audubon was referenced in the slides but not the Brewster Conservation Trust. Mr. Lombardi responded that this still needs to be determined. Vice -Chair Jacobus suggested that a one-page handout could be produced that might summarize the distinction between a "yes" vote and a "no" vote. Mr. Lombardi said this would be a challenge, but agreed it would certainly be useful if the information could be condensed to this level. Vice - Chair Jacobus said that all of the information should be made available on the website. Ms. McCarley said she had trouble with the visual plans because of how difficult they can be for the average resident to read, and there may be too many iterations of the plans. Mr. Lombardi responded that there were initially more drawings, but that they had been reduced. Vice -Chair Jacobus said that all of the plans on the slides contained important information. Ms. McCarley asked if some of these slides could be combined. Selectperson Chaffee suggested that the sub header on Slide 29 could be altered to "Proposed Future Building Uses". John Phillips said the presentation needs to clarify that it is not certain that a Community Center will be constructed on the Bay Property. Mr. Lombardi concurred with Mr. Phillips' suggestion. Selectperson Chaffee suggested the deletion of slides 2-5, as she believes the information here can be deleted to focus on the plans. Mr. Lombardi disagreed in relation to slide 3, as he belives that the timeline and process are important for residents to be reminded of. Mr. Lombardi said that slides 2 and 3 could be refined. Peter Johnson asked if there was a date in mind for a second Town Meeting, if it is needed. Mr. Lombardi said that a date has not been identified at this point. BPPC 03.12.2024 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 2 of 5 Doc ID: cf7cfc398c18803faf2b38814e7b5f6110bb520c wSr `'i Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street A' � Brewster, MA 02631-1898 o Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Vice -Chair Jacobus asked if large poster boards on easels could be constructed for Town Meeting. Mr. Lombardi responded that this is planned, and in the lead up to Town Meeting, these poster boards would be placed at Town offices for residents to view. Ms. Jacobus asked if these easels could be taken to outreach meetings. Mr. Lombardi responded that this could be done. Mr. Lombardi announced that residents have started registering for the Pond Property tours — those will be held on April 6 and April 10. The Bay Property tours will be held on April 17 and April 27. Mr. Lombardi said committee members should let Chair Amanda Bebrin know if they are available. There are a number of other information sessions coming up, not directly related to the Sea Camps, such as a presentation on the Package Treatment Plant on March 26, an Affordable Housing 101 presentation on April 1, and a presentation by the Finance Team on April 18. These sessions will all reference the Sea Camps. Mr. Lombardi said that committee members are not expected to attend these sessions, but it might be helpful if they can. In terms of media outreach, Town staff will be more proactive with press releases and providing information to the press in the lead up to Town Meeting. Chair Amanda Bebrin joined the meeting. In terms of group outreach, Mr. Lombardi has identified the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society, the Brewster Men's Club, the Elementary School's PTO, the Democratic Town Committee, and the Ponds Coalition as potential organizations. A presentation will be also be given to the Finance Committee, as is the case with all warrant articles. Mr. Lombardi asked if any committee members could attend the presentation to the Brewster Men's Club at noon on April 11. John Phillips and Peter Johnson agreed to attend this presentation. One of Selectperson Chaffee or Vice -Chair Jacobus will also attend. Mr. Lombardi said no dates have been set yet for any other organizations. Vice -Chair Jacobus suggested that April 13 at 10.00am would be a good date to present to the Democratic Town Committee. Chair Bebrin and Vice -Chair Jacobus will attend this meeting. Mr. Lombardi will confirm the dates for the other presentations. Mr. Fryzel asked if a presentation could be given at the Council on Aging. Elton Cutler, COA Director, said it would be unlikely to be heavily attended. Mr. Lombardi said that church visits were mentioned as a possible form of outreach at a previous meeting. Mr. Johnson noted that the churches will have to be contacted to check they are comfortable with hosting committee members. Mr. Lombardi noted that Beautify Brewster and Brewster in Bloom are coming up, and outreach could be done at these events. A number of Brewster Rec events are also coming up, such as soccer on Sundays, beginning April 28. All of this outreach would simply involve setting up staffed tables with flyers. Selectperson Chaffee said a single page, two-sided handout with bay information on one side, and pond information on the other, will be important for succeeding in this outreach. Mr. Lombardi said that any flyer like this will have to simply be a map of both properties with a link to the website and information about when Town Meeting is. BPPC 03.12.2024 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 3 of 5 Doc ID: cf7cfc398c18803faf2b38814e7b5f6110bb520c Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Review Upcoming Approved Interim Uses and Vote on Proposed New Interim Uses The review of upcoming approved interim uses and vote on proposed new interim uses was postponed to the next meeting. Vote on Meeting Minutes: February 5 and February 6, 2024 The committee voted to approve the minutes from February 5 and February 6, with a minor amendment to the February 5 minutes — Selectperson Whitney was named twice as an attendee. Selectperson Chaffee moved to approve the February 5 minutes with the aforementioned change. Chair Bebrin second. A roll call vote was taken. Pat Hughes — yes, Karl Fryzel — abstain, Caroline McCarley — yes, Thomas Wingard — yes, Chair Amanda Bebrin — yes, John Phillips — yes, Peter Johnson — yes, Selectperson Chaffee — yes, Vice -Chair Jacobus — yes. Selectperson Chaffee moved to approve the February 6 minutes. Chair Bebrin second. A roll call vote was taken. Pat Hughes — yes, Karl Fryzel — yes, Caroline McCarley — yes, Thomas Wingard — yes, Chair Amanda Bebrin — yes, John Phillips — yes, Peter Johnson — yes, Selectperson Chaffee — yes, Vice -Chair Jacobus — yes. Discuss Future Meeting Agenda Items Mr. Lombardi said that the Town Planner, Jon Idman, would attend a future meeting to discuss the zoning overlay issue. Next Meetings Mr. Lombardi said that the next regular meeting date will be March 26. Tours of Falmouth and Sandwich's facilities are scheduled for March 27. April 3 is penciled in for the tour of the Dennis facility. Sandwich's facility, the Center for Active Living, is probably closest to what has been discussed for a future Community Center in Brewster. April 16 is the only regularly scheduled meeting for April. If another meeting is scheduled, it will have to be on April 23. Ms. McCarley asked if there is any decision on who might speak on this article at Town Meeting. Mr. Lombardi said that this still needs to be determined —this will depend on if there is going to be a formal presentation or not. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair FYIs Adiournment BPPC 03.12.2024 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 4 of 5 Doc ID: cf7cfc398c18803faf2b38814e7b5f6110bb520c Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Karl Fryzel moved to adjourn at 5:34pm. Chair Bebrin second. A roll call vote was taken. Pat Hughes — yes, Karl Fryzel — yes, Caroline McCarley — yes, Thomas Wingard — yes, Chair Amanda Bebrin — yes, John Phillips — yes, Peter Johnson — yes, Selectperson Chaffee — yes, Vice -Chair Jacobus — yes. Respectfully submitted by Conor Kenny, Project Manager 03/28/2024 Approved: Signed: Accompanying Documents in Packet: Agenda, Draft Presentation Materials BPPC 03.12.2024 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 5 of 5 Doc ID: cf7cfc398c18803faf2b38814e7b5f6110bb520c