HomeMy Public PortalAbout20161212 - Zoning Advisory Committee - Meeting Minutes
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ZONING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Monday, December 12, 2016 7:00 PM
Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton MA
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Coutinho, Chair, Ted Barker-Hook, Jim Ciriello, Mark Hyman,
Sean Mauro, Ria McNamara, John Savignano (7:24 PM)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Brian Karp, Scott Richardson
Present: Elaine Lazarus, Director of Land Use and Town Operations
1. Minutes
The Committee reviewed the Minutes of the November 28, 2016 meeting. Mr. Ciriello stated he
would like to revisit the wording of the restaurant definition voted at the last meeting. Mr.
Hyman moved to approve the Nov. 28, 2016 Minutes. Mr. Mauro seconded the motion and the
Committee voted unanimously in favor.
2. Airbnb/Short Term Rentals
Nancy Peters, Wood Street, stated she raised this issue because it is something that should be
considered. She stated she found there are 2 in Hopkinton, one in her neighborhood and one
elsewhere. She noted that people like stability in a neighborhood where you know who is
coming and going. She stated that a home in her neighborhood sold and people moved in who
stayed for about 2 weeks. She stated that the house sleeps 6 but there is only room for 2 cars and
people parked at the Woodville Rod & Gun Club. She stated her concern is for safety, excessive
lighting, parking, and use of the property as a hotel without paying room taxes.
The Committee discussed the issues and asked Ms. Lazarus to find examples of how other towns
regulate the use.
Mr. Savignano arrived at this time.
The Committee discussed what might constitute a “short term” rental, and it was the consensus
that it would be for less than 30 days.
3. Sign Bylaw
Amy Ritterbusch, Design Review Board (DRB), stated that the DRB requested that a special
permit be required for signs on a building that are on the 2nd floor and up. The Committee
discussed issues including the aesthetics of signs above the first floor, the need to provide sign
bands on buildings, the need for businesses to have visibility and which board should grant a
special permit if it is required. Mr. Hyman noted that the Board of Appeals is presently the
special permit granting authority for signs, but aesthetics are best for the Planning Board to
handle.
Mr. Coutinho left the meeting at this time and Mr. Hyman chaired the meeting.
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The Committee discussed the issues further. It was the consensus to draft an amendment for
review that requires a special permit from the Planning Board for signs over a certain height on
buildings (equivalent to above the first floor) and to change the special permit granting authority
for signs to the Planning Board.
Ms. McNamara noted that the DRB also requested that the maximum height of pylon signs
should be reduced to 8 feet. She stated that small buildings shouldn’t have big pylon signs. The
Committee discussed the issues. It was the consensus that Ms. Lazarus would draft an
amendment for review that reduces the maximum height of standing signs to 8 feet and ensures
that parapet walls are included in the definition of a building wall so that no signs could be
allowed on a parapet wall without a special permit. It was noted that if a building needed a taller
sign, a special permit could be applied for.
Mr. Coutinho returned to the meeting at this time.
4. Driveway Standards
Steve Slaman, Fire Chief, reviewed the comments made at the public forum regarding the need
for driveway standards to address public safety concerns. The Committee discussed driveway
width, and it was noted that if a driveway is straight 12 ft. wide is fine, but not when curves,
angles, trees, etc. are introduced. Mr. Slaman noted that a vehicle swept path analysis would
identify circumstances where width or a sharp curve is a problem, and noted that the regulations
could be more stringent for a very long driveway.
After discussion, it was the consensus that Ms. Lazarus would draft changes to the Driveways
section of Chapter 174, Streets and Sidewalks, as follows:
For a driveway that is 60 ft. long or less: require swept path analysis at the entrance only
Driveways 60 to 100 ft.: swept path analysis; credit for fire suppression
Driveways more than 100 ft. long: using the existing common driveway standards as a
guide, require swept path analysis; credit for fire suppression; grade not to exceed __%
over the length; 18 ft. min. width at the beginning and for a certain distance; 2 ft. width
shoulder clear of obstructions at the entrance; minimum depth of 8 inches of gravel; 4
inches of pavement (if paved); 13’6” tree height at time of initial building permit and at
resale; inspection before property is sold.
5. Administrative Business
The Committee decided to meet on Jan. 11 and Jan. 18 at 7 pm.
Adjourned: 9:05 PM
Approved: January 26, 2017
Documents used at the meeting:
Memo dated 12/8/16 to Zoning Advisory Committee from Elaine Lazarus, re: December 12, 2016
Zoning Advisory Committee meeting
Draft Minutes of the 11/28/16 ZAC meeting
Zoning Bylaw Article XXVII, Signs