Loading...
2011-11-22CITY OF BEVERLY MASSACHUSETTS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: Planning Board None Tuesday, November 22, 2011 LOCATION: Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex Street MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Richard Dinkin, Vice Chairman John Thomson, Michael O'Brien, Charles Harris, Ellen Hutchinson, Ellen Flannery, David Mack, James Matz MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Assistant Planning Director, Leah Zambernardi RECORDER: Diana Ribreau Dinkin called the Regular Meeting of Beverly Planning Board to order at 7:35 p.m. Subdivision Approval Not Required Plans (SANR's) None New or Other Business a. Set date and location for January and February Meetings Zambernardi informed the Board that City Council has the City Council Chambers reserved for the 3 rd Tuesday in both January and February. The Planning Board has been asked to choose an alternative location and /or date for these meetings. The Board unanimously decided to keep the Regular Planning Board time and dates of January 17, 2012 and February 21, 2012 to be held at the Beverly Public Library rather than City Council Chambers. b. Set date and location for Holiday Gathering The Planning Board agreed to have Zambernardi contact either Wild Horse Cafe or Soma for availability to tentatively hold the annual Holiday Gathering on December 7, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. Zambernardi said she would notify board members once set. Set Public Hearing Date — Modification to Wellington Hills Definitive Subdivision Plan (aka Oak Hill Estates & Wellington Heights) — Roundy Estates, LLC. Public Meeting Minutes November 22, 2011 Page 2 of 3 Dinkin reminded the Board that they asked for the City Solicitor's opinion on whether or not to hold a Public Hearing for the matter. A copy of the City Solicitor's response was previously distributed. The City Solicitor determined that a Public Hearing should be held. Dinkin said that members of the public and representatives for the applicant are able to pick up a copy of the City Solicitor's response at City Hall. Thomson made a motion to set a Public Hearing for the Regular Planning Board Meeting dated December 20, 2011 at 7:45 p.m. Motion seconded by Hutchinson. Motion carried 7- 0 -0. Discussion: Proposed Amendments to "Open Space Residential Design (OSRD) Site Plan Ordinance Rules and Regulations. Zambernardi began by reminding the Board that copies of the proposed amendments were included in Appendix D of last month's meeting. Zambernardi gave an overview of the applicability section of the proposed OSRD Ordinance. The discussion at the last meeting was to include or not include R15 and R22 Zones as being subject to the Ordinance. The current Ordinance includes both zones however the proposed OSRD excludes R15 and R22 Zones. R45 and R90 Zones would still be subject to the Ordinance. Zambernardi presented copies of a report showing the lots that would be subject to the proposed OSRD Ordinance. Dinkin stated that as a matter of general applicability, he is reluctant to exclude R22 from the Ordinance because it only currently applies to one portion of the City. He added that he is less reluctant to exclude R15. Thomson stated that he would prefer that both the R15 and R22 Zones stay in the Ordinance. He feels it is necessary to hold a public policy debate to determine. Thomson stated that the language they propose to the City Council should be broader rather than narrowing down the zoning areas that apply. Dinkin stated that R10 Zone presents too many challenges to include it in the Ordinance. Dinkin agreed with Thomson that language is needed in the draft to open it up to public discussion without requiring another public hearing if it is amended during the process. Hutchinson asked for clarification on whether the definition of a covered project. Hutchinson added that she felt the current language was very ambiguous. Board members discussed several scenarios with a 10 -acre threshold with respect to number of units, buildable area, wetlands, or other restricted areas. Based on the discussion and scenarios presented, Thomson suggested that a lower acreage threshold be placed in the Ordinance of possibly 5 acres. Dinkin agreed that 5 or 7 acres makes more sense to determine if it is a meaningful open space lot and hearing what the public has to say is appropriate. Public Meeting Minutes November 22, 2011 Page 3 of 3 Matz raised the question if the acreage calculation is including wetlands or other protected areas. Thomson replied that 50% of the buildable area has to be open for open space. Thomson added that the starting point is 50 %. However, the Board has authority to waive the percentage down. Zambernardi stated that the proposed language directs the Planning Board to look at the Purposes Section of Ordinance for criteria to decide whether or not to waive the open space requirement. Matz requested clarification on the remaining bullet points listed in the staff report under the discussion for the OSRD Ordinance. Thomson responded. Zambernardi agreed to resend updated tables to reflect the proposal for a 5 -acre threshold in the R15, R22, R45 and R90 zones and to present those changes at the next meeting. Approval of Minutes dated July 19, 2011 and September 13, 2011 Meetings July 19, 2011 Planning Board Minutes: Flannery, Thomson and Matz made recommendations for edits to the minutes. Flannery made a motion to approve the minutes with the recommended changes dated July 19, 2011 and September 13, 2011. Motion seconded by Harris. Motion carried 7 -0 -0. Adiournment Matz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion seconded by Thomson. Motion carried 7 -0 -0. . The meeting was later rescheduled to January 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.