HomeMy Public PortalAboutPlanning Minutes 2010-09-28 0 R fl"%N S
TO IN CLERKS OFFICE
10 OCT 27 AN 11: 11
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For Official use only
PLANNINGBoARD
September 28,8010-Minutes
A meeting of the Orleans Planning Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Nauset Meeting Room at
the Orleans Town Hall. Present: Chairman:Kenneth McKusick;Vice-Chairman: Chet Crabtree;
Clerk: John Ostman. Regular Members: Steve Bornemeier and John Fallender. Associate Members:
Chip-Bechtold and Paul-McNulty. Planning Deparfinen't Stalf:George Meservey;Secretary:' Karen
Sbarpless. Also Present: Board of Selectmen Liaison: Jon Fuller.
Approval Not Required-Thomas W.Joy and C. Page McMahan -9 Morgan's Way
Meservey described the Approval Not Required plan presented by Thomas W.Joy and C.Page McMahan
which makes a minor amendment to two existing approved lots on Morgan's Way. Meservey explained
that one of the-lots is a conforming-lot and one-is an approved panhandle-lot.- Meservey indicated that
thereis a lot line that will be moved which does not materially affect the lot in any way. Meservey stated
that the Approval Not Required plan meets all of the submittal requirements of the town,does not create
any new building lots;therefore there is no reason to withhold endorsement of the plan.
Thomas W.Joy explained that the Approval Not Requited plan widens the approved entrance to the
panhandle lot from 30' to 40' and aligned the property line differently within the lot. Joy stated that a lot
line on a triangular piece of land will be expunged to enlarge,Lot 5.
MOTION: On a motion by John Ostman,seconded by John Fallender,the Board voted to
authorize the Planning Board Chairman to endorse the Approval Not Required plan prepared for
Thomas W.Joy and C.Page McMahan,dated September 8,2010,scale I"=30',prepared by
Coastal Engineering Company,Inc.
VOTE; .5-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
Village Center Market Study
Planning Board members discussed the Village Center Market Study public presentation by Peg Barringer
of Fibepoiht Associates on September 21,2010. Planning Board members noted the need to make
recommendations at a presentation of the study to the Board of Selectmen this fall.McKusick asked
members to convey their impression of the presentation as noted below:
Planning Board Minutes—September 28, 2010 Page I of 5
All information referred to in the minutes is accessible in the Planning Department.
Bechtold stated he was impressed by the presentation which he felt hit the highlights of the survey
responses. He felt that there were positive recommendations made by Barringer and there was
overwhelming support from business owners in the audience at that meeting. There seem to be
plans that can be implemented over the next few years,although he noted the stalled wastewater
plan seems to impede some anticipated progress. It was noted that members of the business
community as well as Planning Board member volunteered to participate in ongoing work.
Fallender expressed satisfaction with Barringer's presentation and recommendations. It was noted that
the business owners in the audience responded very positively to the ideas,and expressed an
interest in participating in the ongoing process.
Crabtree noted that business owners in the audience seemed favorably stimulated and added a lot to the
conversation with a level of enthusiasm and a self-help spirit. It was noted that it is important not
to let the momentum die by moving the process forward as quickly as possible.
®stman expressed his opinion on the excellent quality of the presentation and stated that the meeting was
transformative. It was noted that audience members participated favorably in the conversation
and show enthusiasm and a passion to move forward with the process. It is important for the
marketing and economic document to be turned into an action plan.
Selectman Fuller stated he was very impressed with the consultant's ability to take a lot of information
and boil it down to a relatively easy to understand presentation. It was noted that there was
energy in the audience to move forward and he is looking forward to the Planning Board
recommendations to the Board of Selectmen,noting that some will be affected by future
wastewater decisions in the downtown area.
McKusick stated that it was interesting to note that there are 189 businesses in the Village Center
distinct. It was also noteworthy that Snow Library has year-round functions that draw
approximately 400 people during the winter months and from 700-800 in the summer months. It
was noted that there is a lack of a clearly defined."gateway"to the downtown area. It was clear
from the surveys that walking and parking issues need to be addressed. There was a definite
enthusiasm from the business owners in the audience and people indicated they are willing to
invest time and energy in the Village Center to make it a more attractive place to visit. It was
noted that Barringer spent time conversing with business owners,as well as residents and visitors
in town during this study and has touched on a number of issues. The Planning Board and
Village Center subcommittee will hold multiple meetings in order hold a public presentation to
the Board of Selectmen in December and make Planning Board recommendations.
Mcservey urged that the entire presentation be given in front of the Board of Selectmen and the Planning
Board will use the interim time to assimilate information into concrete short and term actions. It
was noted that it is important to make a determination of who would be responsible for
implementing growth in the Village Center and decision making for design guidelines which
could result in consistency in the downtown.
McKusick noted that the Planning Board will work with any recommendations from the Village Center
subcommittee as the process moves forward.
Fallender expressed the need for determining what kind of committee or entity would be able to do the
needed fundraising and hold events in town. It could be advisable to have business owners and
representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and members of the Planning Board involved in
the process. Landscaping and architecture ideas and guidelines could be incorporated from other
Planning Board Minutes—September 28, 2010 Page 2 of 5
All information referred to in the minutes is accessible in the Planning Department.
towns and areas in town who have initiated ideas such as Aline Architecture. Ideas such as
crushed shells walkways and painting buildings could make a difference in the look of the
downtown.
Ostman noted there will be ongoing meetings with the Village Center Subcommittee and business
owners will be able to have input into the economic analysis of the Village Center and determine
how to proceed. Fundraising will be a key issue in the process and it must be determined how it
will be handled.
Crabtree noted the necessity of capturing the business owners' enthusiasm,and the need to resolve
threshold issues before the presentation to the Board of Selectmen.
McKusick stated that the initial work is good,but issues need to be resolved. An important question is
what the role of the Chamber of Commerce would be in this process. There are issues(such as
zoning)that can be addressed by the Planning Board and other issues(such as internet access)can
be addressed by business owners. The formula business bylaw can be reconsidered by the
Planning Board.
Bechtold noted the need to determine the needs of summer vs.year-round residents and visitors. It might
be possible to use high school students for developing technology solutions.
McNulty stated that there are options that do not come with a high cost. Architecture and landscaping
would be beneficial to maintaining the attractiveness of the downtown.
Bornemeier noted that it might be possible to gain knowledge from what other towns have done to
address similar Village Center issues.
Meservey stated that there is some uniqueness and some commonality between various towns and it is
advantageous when businesses work together to come up with solutions.
Meservey gave out an informational handout on Business Improvement Districts(BID)under M.G.L.
Chapter 400 for Planning Board members to review.
Request for an Advisory®pinion
Planning Board members discussed a Memorandum from the Building Commissioner requesting an
advisory opinion from the Planning Board under the Zoning Bylaw§164-41 A on the clarification in the
Schedule of Use Regulations Table on whether the term"filling station or garage"is referring to one use
or two separate uses. The Building Commissioner states the following in his letter:
In my opinion a filling station is a place where gas is dispensed into vehicles and a garage is a place where vehicles
are repaired.
Although filling stations and garages are sometimes found together,filling stations are just as often found operating by
themselves or in conjunction with a food or convenience store such as Christy s, Cumberland Farms,Mobile on the
Run,and the Getty,Station to name a few.
If we look up "garages"in the yellow pages it refers its to "automobile repairing"which in turn sends its to
"automobile body repairing&painting", "mufflers&exhaust systems-engine", "parking facilities", "radiators
automotive", "transmission-automobile". Ifwe look under these subheadings in the yellow pages very few of them list
a major oil company or otherwise advertise that they are also a filling station.
I further note that§164-11 D of the Orleans Zoning Bylaw under Prohibited uses,treats filling stations as a separate
use where in it prohibits filling stations, but does not specifically prohibit garages".
Planning Board Minutes—September 28, 2010 Page 3 of 5
All information referred to in the minutes is accessible in the Planning Department.
Ostman stated his opinion that the term "filling station or garage"refers to the way businesses were
originally run where there were two functions in the same place,(1)a garage for repairs and(2)
pumping gas. Now that there is more specialization,it is more likely that a gas station is
connected with a convenience store than a garage. It was noted that"garage"and"filling station"
are more likely to be separate functions.
CONSENSUS: There was a unanimous consensus of the Planning Board that"garage"and"filling
station"could be considered as two separate uses.
Solar Trash Compactors
Planning Board members discussed recently purchased solar trash compactors in town and agreed that
they are attractive and purchasing two more compactors would be consistent with Village Center planning
concepts.
OLD BUSINESS
Zoning Amendments
Meservey reminded Planning Board members that the Zoning Bylaw Task Force will be
reviewing proposed zoning amendments to be forwarded to the Planning Board for review and
public hearing.
CORRESPONDENCE
Dikital Flood Insurance Rate Map 60FMM and Flood Insurance Study IS Report
Meservey referred Planning Board members to a letter from Michael J. Goetz from FEMA
through-the U.S.Department of Homeland Security dated August 30,2010 in reference to the
floodmap revision process. Meservey noted that FEMA feels that outstanding issues have been
resolved. Meservey explained that the Town must adopt the flood maps by July 1,2011 in order
to avoid flood map insurance issues for residents.
Citizen Planner Traininr Collaborative Courses
Planning Board members were advised of the schedule of Citizen Planner Training Collaborative
Fall 2010 Workshops.
APPROVAL OFI!l INUTES: August 24,2010
MOTION: On a motion by John Fallender,seconded by John Ostman,the Board voted to
approve the minutes of August 24,2010.
VOTE: 4-0-1 The motion passed by a majority. (Steve Bornemeier abstained).
Planning Board Minutes—September 28, 2010 Page 4 of 5
All information referred to in the ininutes is accessible in the Planning Department.
APMOVAL OF MINUTES: September 21,2010
MOTION: On a motion by Chet Crabtree,seconded by John Ostman,the Board voted to
approve the minutes of September 21,2010,as amended
VOTE: 4-0-1 The motion passed by a majority. (Steve Bornemeier abstained).
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: On a motion by John Fallender,seconded by John Ostman,the Board voted to
adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
VOTE: 5-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
j
SIGNED: — DATE:
o n Ostman,Clerk)
LIST OF HANDOUTS FOR SEOT-EM91th 28 2010 PLANNING— EOA+A® MEETING:
1. Approval Not Required application for Thomas W Joy and C. Page McMahan, 9 Morgan's Way
2: Orleans Village Center Master Plan—Action Plan (9-24-10)
3. Business Improvements Districts—MG.L Chapter 400
4. Building Commissioner Memorandum for Advisory Opinion, dated September 14, 2010
S. Letter from Assistant Planner to Orleans Improvement Association regarding Solar Trash
Can/Compactors, dated September 20, 2010.
6. FEMA letter Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIR* and Flood Insurance Study(FIS)
Report for Barnstable County, Massachusetts (All,lurisdictions)
7. Citizen Planner Training Collaborative—List of Fall 2010 Workshops
8. Planning Board Minutes for August 24, 2010
9. Planning Board Minutes for September 21, 2010
Planning Board Minutes—September 28, 2010 Page 5 of 5
All information referred to in the minutes Is accessible in the Planning Department.