HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-27-PLNCD-min
Pierce-Lockwood Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD)
Commission Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 27, 2019 Room 237, Community Center, 39 Marrett Rd.
Present: Donna Moultrup, Chris Neurath, Richard Goldhammer , Bob Creech from the
Planning Board, Sam Doran from the Historical Commission, and two NCD members,
Wendy Russman-Halperin and Cynthia Stern.
The meeting was called to order at 7:43 PM by Donna Moultrup. Introductions of all
present were done.
This was the first meeting of the PLNCD Commission so there were no prior minutes
to approve. Donna reported that she e-mailed the Town Clerk to ask if draft minutes
should be posted even though it may be months between the two required meetings.
She was told that draft minutes could be posted immediately and replaced with the
final minutes after the official vote.
Donna explained that the designation of "chair" was put beside her name on the Commission
list on the Town website. There was no explanation for that but that Donna had stated
previously that she was happy to volunteer for the position of chair and recorder. She
asked if there was any objection to her taking on these tasks and there was none.
The list of Commission Responsibilities, a document that had been sent out to Commission
members with the agenda, was discussed. Donna explained that the Chair's responsibilities
included assisting an applicant through the application and hearing process in various ways.
She explained that the purpose of the NCD was not to make the neighbors' lives more
difficult so she felt that the Commission could be very helpful considering the small size
of the NCD. There were no additional questions concerning that document.
Donna then gave a short synopsis of the Open Meeting Law that she prepared from an
Open Meeting Law session required of committee and board chairs, given in November,
2017 by Town Counsel. There was discussion concerning the Commission's quorum of three
and the fact that Commission members in the neighborhood could be together at various
events in, or outside, the neighborhood, but that no discussion of NCD business could happen.
Neighbors could question a single NCD member but there could be no discussion of a
neighbor's question when two or more Commission members are present. The point is to
never give the impression that decisions are being made outside of a publicly advertised
meeting.
The Commission's website was then reviewed by accessing it electronically. The slideshow
of the homes in the NCD was reviewed quickly. The flow chart for requesting a determination
regarding external architectural changes which was deliberately made generic for all NCDs in
the Town was reviewed. Donna explained that she felt that our NCD is so small, there was little
likelihood that anyone would get to the Building Department first before talking with someone
on the NCD Commission. The NCD Bylaw was discussed. It was reiterated that replacements in
kind would not need a public hearing and that changing the color of a house was exempt
through the original Town bylaw. Additions, garages or a change in style of windows would
need a public hearing.
The final document discussed from the website was the step by step process making external
architectural changes in this particular NCD. The process of requesting an informal discussion
at an advertised public meeting was discussed. Rich Goldhammer suggested that the
application be more specific concerning how a particular change would affect the adjacent
properties. After discussion, it was decided that the words "scale drawing of the site plan
showing adjacent properties" should be included in the list of required documents on the
application. Donna will work with the Town's IT Department to make that change.
Donna explained that our NCD has a special paragraph discussing the Historic District
Commission (HDC) since there are seven houses in the NCD that are also in the HDC. It was
explained that the application documents encourage HDC members to request an informal
discussion with the NCD first; then go through the HDC process. If approved by the HDC, there
is a good likelihood that the NCD would give permission based on the HDC process. It was
asked, and answered however, that the NCD can override the HDC decision, so it is not an
automatic approval based on the HDC approval.
Donna reminded everyone to please use her official Town e-mail address for NCD business.
If she receives NCD mail in her personal e-mail, she will refer people to her Town e-mail before
answering.
Chris Neurath asked if we should have an informal discussion of any changes regarding 15
Byron Ave. Donna explained that she had reached out to the owner prior to the meeting and
the owner had indicated that she was not ready yet. Donna also reminded everyone that the
informal discussion has to appear on the agenda when the meeting is posted. Chris also asked
Bob Creech if he could report on happenings in the Turning Mill NCD, which Bob did.
There was no public comment.
Meeting adjourned by unanimous vote at 8:57 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Moultrup, Chair