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Home My Public Portal AboutPB Minutes 2022-08-23ORLEANS PLANNING BOARD AUGUST 23, 2022 — Hybrid Meeting Minutes A hybrid meeting of the Orleans Planning Board was called to order at 4:00 p.m. from the Nauset Meeting Room at Town Hall. Present: Chair: Debra Oakes; Vice -Chair: Alice Thomason Van Oot; Clerk: John Ostman (via Zoom). Regular Members: Richard Hartmann and Chet Crabtree. Planning Department Staff: George Meservey and Secretary: Karen Sharpless. Absent: Board of Selectmen Liaison: Mefford Runyon. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments at this point in the meeting. MINIMUM LOT SIZE IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS Planning Board members discussed the issue of minimum lot sizes in the downtown area. Meservey noted that currently under existing zoning, 40,000 s.f. of upland area is required for a single family home. Meservey stated that there are 389 lots of which approximately 50 parcels in the downtown would not be qualified under 164-22 for conversion to a single family dwelling. All but 2 of those lots are already developed. Planning Board members agreed that increasing the density in the downtown could be encouraged for apartment development as opposed to single-family dwellings. Planning Board members noted that upcoming sewer plans could create opportunities that do not currently exist for housing. Planning Board members discussed the issue of sewering vs Title 5 systems and it was noted that the Nutrient Management Regulations would have limitations if sewering is not available in certain areas of town. Public Comments: Herbert Kenney (249 Route 6A) presented his case, currently before the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Variance, where he wants to convert a former dental office back to a residence on an undersized lot with a Title 5 system. MOTION: On a motion by Chet Crabtree, seconded by Richard Hartmann, the Board voted to send the issue to the Zoning Bylaw Task Force to prepare for the May 2023 Annual Town Meeting an amendment to the Zoning Bylaws to reduce the minimum lot size for a single family dwelling to 10,000 s.f. for the Village Center, Limited Business and General Business Districts, for lots that are within a sewered area or which meet the Board of Health Nutrient Management Regulations. VOTE: 5-0-0 The motion passed unanimously. Planning Board Comments: Van Oot raised a point of order that after a motion is made and seconded, discussions should be held between strictly Planning Board members. Planning Board Minutes — August 23, 2022 Pagel of 3 All information discussed at Planning Board meetings is kept on file in the Planning Department. ORLEANS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND WORKING WITH OTHER TOWN BOARDS & COMMITTEES Planning Board members discussed how to coordinate work on the Orleans Comprehensive Plan with input from various Town Boards and Committees that are directly affected by each of the nine chapters. Planning Board members agreed on the importance of understanding critical issues affecting the town. Planning Board members suggested that boards and committees could submit comments and the Planning Board can discuss them at regularly scheduled meetings. HOME RULE CHARTER, PLANNING & AND ENVIRONMENT Planning Board members reviewed information from the Horne Rule Charter Committee regarding changes to Chapter 9 -- Planning and the Environment. COMMITTEE REPORTS Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners (Richard Hartmann) Hartmann reported the following, as noted on the Town's website: "On August 8, 2022, Cape Cod was declared to be at drought level 2 Significant Drought and as a result, the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting on August 17, 2022 voted unanimously to limit all outdoor watering to hand-held only or drip irrigation. Water after 5:00 p.m. or before 9:00 a.m. to avoid evaporative losses. These restrictions begin immediately and will continuing through at least September 21, 2022. Lawns naturally go dormant during dry conditions. They will revive when conditions improve." Governor Prence Planning Committee (Debra Oakes) Oakes reported that the Final Report and draft Request for Proposal (RFP) will be presented on October 19, 2022. Community Center Feasibility Task Force (Alice Thomason Van Oot) Van Oot reported on a community meeting with approximately 30 residents. Van Oot noted that the Architect presented 3 sized plans and the committee discussed locations to be presented on October 12, 2022. CORRESPONDENCE • Orleans Energy and Climate Action Committee Charge APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: On a motion by Alice Thomason Van Oot, seconded by Chet Crabtree, the Board voted to approve the Planning Board minutes for August 9, 2022. VOTE: 5-0-0 The motion passed unanimously. Planning Board Minutes — August 23, 2022 Page 2 of 3 All information discussed at Planning Board meetings is kept on file 117 the Planning Department. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: On a motion by Chet Crabtree, seconded by Richard Hartmann, the Board voted to adjourn the Planning Board meeting at 5:20 p.m. VOTE: 5-0-0 The motion passed unanimously. SIGNED: LIST OF HANDOUTS: DATE: y/a DISCUSSION — MINIMUM LOT SIZE IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS • Memorandum from George Meservey entitled, "Evaluation of Lot Sizes in Downtown Districts", dated August 18, 2022 • Map showing Downtown Parcels by Lot Size • Orleans Zoning Bylaw Chapters including §164-22 entitled "Modifications" HOME RULE CHARTER. PLANNING & AND ENVIRONMENT • Email from Gail Meyers Lavin, dated August 11, 2022 • Draft Charter Article — Chapter 9 — Planning and the Environment CORRESPONDENCE • Orleans Energy and Climate Action Committee Charge APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Planning Board minutes for August 9, 2022 Planning Board Minutes —August 23, 2022 Page 3 of 3 All information discussed at Planning Board meetings Is kept on file in the Planning Department.