2008-02-06-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of February 6, 2008 Article 57, Development Standards: This article would allow commercial developments of more than 10,000 square feet 'as of right' with no Special Permit with Site Plan Review. Article 58, Transition Areas and Setbacks: This article would modify the “Street Line” setback from 50 feet to 25 feet in both the CRO and CM districts and the “Minimum front yard in feet” from 100 feet and 75 feet to 50 feet, which would allow better land use, especially in sensitive wetland areas. Article 59, Parking and Bicycle Facility Standards For Office Use: This article proposes reducing the number of required office use parking spaces from four per 1,000 square feet to three spaces as a minimum and establishes a maximum of three and a half spaces per 1,000 square feet. There would be preferential spaces for carpool, vanpool and bicycle use. Article 60, CM Parking Standards for Retail Sales: This article would add a new category of parking standards for retail sales. It would require one parking space per 500 square feet of street level floors; one space per 750 square feet in a cellar; and one space per 600 square feet of all other floors. Board Questions and Comments: Mr. Canale asked if there were any formal paperwork on these articles for the Planning Board to consider for Town Meeting. He asked about how much additional square footage had been added since the “moratorium” (the reduction of FAR to .15). He said that Mr. Smith claimed the traffic bylaw had never been enforced, yet one of his own developments was subject to it. The Town is currently going through a study with the 2020 Vision Committee and the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF). Based on their endorsement of the TIF with Shire, it seems clear that Town Meeting wants to encourage economic development that will enhance revenue and minimize impacts. The EDTF has a consultant working on a report with a variety of possible changes, so he asked for an explanation of why it was being brought to Town Meeting as only one option and before the EDTF can have its discussion. Mr. Smith said he wanted action and did not want to wait another cycle. He said the market for lab space is much more volatile then office use. Look how long it took to get the tenants for the Patriot Partners property.