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HomeMy Public PortalAboutPlanning Board -- 2008-03-26 MinutesHenchy: Thought the idea of a Planner was a good idea because the Board has been putting in a lot of hours working on zoning changes. He also mentioned that he would like to see the Town pay a stipend to the Planning Board for all of their efforts. Bugle motioned to pay $1,000/member as a stipend. Second by Tubman. Roll Call Vote: William Henchy: Aye Elizabeth Taylor NO Marjorie Pierce: NO Amber Tubman Aye Robert Bugle: Aye Taylor: felt that if one Board were to receive a stipend then what about the other Boards? Lewis: Supported Ms. Taylor and Ms. Pierce - he didn't want to get into who works harder. He then read the job description/qualifications. Bugle: Was concerned that you could find a qualified Planner for this salary. Lewis: Understood that there will be a learning curve for this position. The Planner would report to the Town Administrator. Pierce: In general felt that this was a good idea but cost has always been an issue. Recently, the Town has requested the desire to find ways to reduce expenses. The Planning Board answered that request and reduced the number of hours for the clerk to 25 hours. Now the Town wants to set up a department at an additional cost of $100,000. Ms. Pierce felt that increases in staff for enforcement, for example, are a more important use to which an override should be put. Sumner: The Town is on the edge of balancing the budget and if there are going to be any new services in Town then there is going to be an override. Henchy: Asked how they were going to sell the idea to the Town? Lewis: Didn't think it would be hard to address at Town Meeting but the challenge would be during the referendum on the ballot. Sumner: Stated that because of the past planning the Town has done, Brewster doesn't have a huge wastewater issue -unlike surrounding towns. Bob McClellan: Assumed the Planning Board would endorse but wanted to know how they would vote. Henchy: Based on the comments received tonight, it doesn't look like anyone will oppose. The Board will have a position for the Town Meeting. Work Session: I. To continue to review and discuss revisions to the existing Sign Bylaw: Bud Noyes, Chamber of Commerce and Trish Debs, Brewster in Bloom Present: Trisha Debs, Brewster in Bloom HDC: Roy Robinson, Pat Bush Debs: Based on the last meeting and the general consensus to eliminate the sandwich board signs, the Chamber has revised their request for modification. They would like to be able to hang Planning Board Meeting Page 2 of 4 03-26-08 "open" flags. They suggested making all flags a consistent size and then allow for dangles (attachments) off the original sign to highlight specials, open etc. Tubman: Is happy the sandwich signs are going away and liked the "danglers". Pierce: How else can businesses address their specials? Is the Bait and Tackle sign at True Value a useful sign? Henchy: Thought restaurants need to be able to have sandwich signs. Debs: Felt restaurants could make up "danglers" to match the existing sign. She had heard that businesses really need something for the "off' season so that people would know when they were open and to help drive in business. HDC: In the past they allowed flags and before they knew it flags were flying everywhere. It became very unattractive. The Town has a sign bylaw and the HDC has requirements/guidelines that govern the Town. These guidelines have been established to preserve the town's character. Brewster has the largest sized historic district on the cape. All signs within the HDC need to have an application and come before the HDC. Lewis: Do you allow "open" flags now? HDC: No and flags also have to go through HDC Bugle: reiterated that "open" flags are not allowed in HDC so the Planning Board could not ok the open flags. Robinson: Traditional American flags are allowed -they can not be prohibited. Why can't people just use these to show that they are open? He doesn't want to see clutter on 6A. Debs: The members of the Chamber are suffering and need more than just the American flag. Pierce: didn't feel that the "open" flags were being abused. Taylor: has Bayside gone to HDC? They have 3 flags hanging on their property. HDC: no Staley: Bayside has been notified that the "open" flags are in violation. It appears that the danglers are ok. Bugle: would HDC be ok with keeping the sign bylaw as is? HDC: yes Henchy: polled the Board Tubman: wasn't crazy about the revision Pierce: felt "danglers" were ok and thought you should be allowed to have "open" flags Bugle: not happy to try to approve something that is in conflict with the HDC Taylor: would hate to see 6A looking like Rte. 28 -would like to see the library come up with an alternative way to address special events. Can not do anything about churches. Does not like the sandwich signs. Wants to make sure we retain the historic feel of the Planning Board Meeting Page 3 of 4 03-26-08 town. Pointed out that there is some confusion in the Accessory Sign bylaw 179.20.5 (B) -which needs to be addressed. Staley: would be ok with multiple "danglers" as long as the overall sign size meets the requirements Debs: reiterated the fact that businesses are struggling in these economic times and would like the Town to be able to assist them. Henchy: would review the HDC guidelines and suggested the Chamber of Commerce work with HDC directly to see if a compromise of some sort might be possible. Other Business: I. SP#2008-04 -Soule -review draft decision. The Board made the following notations: 1. Confirm with Peter that he has a written statement that stated his property is not in the NHESP 2. Have Peter provide a pamphlet for the file to show the color of the wind turbine II. Review Rules and Regulations for the Wind Turbine Pierce motioned to approve the draft and hold a public hearing. Second by Bugle. All AYE. Bugle motioned to adjourn. Tubman seconded. All AYE Respectfully submitted, ~~~ UVI/L1~l~h(:..r I/l/ Jr~ MarjorieTPierce/Clerk i ~) Jay e S Administrative Clerk Z Z: l ld ~ldW 80. Planning Board Meeting Page 4 of 4 03-26-08