HomeMy Public PortalAboutPlanning Board -- 2013-11-20 Minutes N Brewster Planning Board
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d`* r.'''':; Brewster,Massachusetts 02631-1898
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Approved:1-29-14
Vote:5-0-µCollum abstains
TOWN OF BREWSTER PLANNING BOARD
Regular MEETING MINUTES BREt S _ : TOM }k^'•.
Wednesday November 2o, 2013 at 7:oo pm –1 C.
Brewster Town Office Building _
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Chairman William Hoag convened the Planning Board meeting at 7:10 pm in the Brewster Town Office Building with
member$: Rick Judd,John McMullen,John Leaning, and Elizabeth Taylor, present.
Absent: Scott Collum,Jason Klump
Other atijendees:Sue Leven
Documents: 112013_A Updated Sign By-law from Leven
The Chair read the Recording or Taping Notification:
"As requited by the Open Meeting Law we are informing you that the Town will be audio and video taping this public meeting. In
addition,if anyone else intends to audio or video tape this meeting he or she is required to inform the chair."
7;30 pml Manning Discussion
The Planning Board will hold a work session meeting to discuss Sign Regulations in Brewster and proposed changes to be
brought to Town Meeting in May of 2014.
Hoag read the agenda.The Planning Board started their discussion with 179-20.6,Off-premises signs. (Page 8 of 11)
Comments:
A. Off-premises signs
1. No comment
2. Current"A"frame signs discussed on Route 6A. (Probably illegal signs)They added VB zoning district
3. McMullen questioned whether people seek permission.There was a lengthy discussion and they decided to
leave it as-is.
4. No comment
5. No comment
6. Ladder signs, Hoag suggested they should be at the intersection of public ways, which serve businesses or
community facilities. BOS should manage. Remove street names.
Judd was concerned with visual clutter and asked if the BOS will hold a public hearing(Yes)
Leven suggested the Board send a letter to the BOS and explain they are in the process of rewriting the sign
by-law and suggested the BOS take over the management and remove the locations so the Board can adopt a
policy without going to town meeting.
Leaning questioned the ownership and the maintenance of the ladder signs.
Leven explained that they are on town property.The town should own them and the current owner has
suggested a reasonable request to the Board.The Board should setup parameters.The BOS will decide if DPW
or a private contractor makes the signs.
Leaning ftated the Board should be out of the management.The locations should be up to the BOS.
The Board agreed.
Taylor questioned the level of involvement.
Leven explained the Board should have input on what the signs look like and whether the signs should be
generic or include business names.The Board discussed further.
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PB Minutes 11-20-13.docx
6. b) Ladder Sign Regulations
} i. unpainted treated 4x4 ground mounted posts
ii. 24 square feet, now 8 feet high.They decided on 18 square feet, 8 feet high, signs could be no lower
than one foot above grade.
iii. panels placed one above another, separate and removable
iv.They agreed to all generic. Consider"public golf course" instead of golf course.
They discussed competition vs. rural character, names vs.generic category, sign pollution
They discussed the golf course request for a restaurant sign.
v. Ok
vi. remove
vii. (Revisit) remove "as in the ...more than" Leven will edit
viii remove
ix. remove
x. add ladder signs, remove sign commissioner and replace with BOS, remove rest of sentence
xi. add ladder signs, (Revisit) Leven to find out if there are (2) anywhere.
xii. remove
xiii. ok
Leven will draft a letter to the Board of Selectmen and will update the by-law copy so all changes are
incorporated.The clean copy will be sent via email to interested parties.
179-21. Enforcement; abandoned signs;appeals(page 9 of 11)
A. 1. a) Uleshoeffer comment revisited by Hoag.
Abandoned signs
Leven suggested that signs in town that do not serve a purpose should be considered. Consider differentiating
between those from business that no longer than exist and landmarks in town. Clutter?
They discussed whether this creates visual clutter.
McMuller)agreed but felt that certain signs may present a problem. It may be difficult to get rid of certain signs.
The Boarad discussed the dentist office on Route 6A with the quarter board that reads"old town hall" and the Dugan
construction sign on Route 6A.
Leven will request an opinion from Town Counsel.
Leaning Stated that if the business is abandoned then the signs should not remain.
Judd stated that regulations should be enforced.
McMullen agreed.
On 12-11-13,the Board will spend one hour discussing signs before the public hearing at 7:30 pm.
They will review sections that require further discussion.
Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate—None.
McMullen made a Motion to adjourn, Leaning Second, All Aye,Vote 5-0.The meeting ended at 8:29 pm.
Respect', submitted,
Ail
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Jas. lumpy, Planning Board Clerk
Kelly Moore,Senior Dept.Assistant-Planning �/A
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PB Minutes 11-20-13.docx