HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-03-SPRD-min Special Permit Residential Development Committee Minutes(Draft)
October 3, 2019
Parker Room,Town Office Building
Meeting called to order at 7:10 pm
Present: David Trietsch ( Facilitator/Consultant),Jill Hai, , Matt Daggett Heather Hartshorn,Joyce
Murphy, Scott Cooper, Richard Perry, Richard Canale, Betsey Weiss, Wendy Manz (CEC Liaison)
Absent:Taylor Singh
Staff: Carol Kowalski
Others present: Charles Horning
Committee reviewed Value Statement draft. There was agreement that the nine points from the
existing SPRD bylaw were incorporated into this statement which increased guidance and was more
concise than the full bylaw. Feedback from prior meetings, presentations and public input was
incorporated into the draft. Important new language and emphasis included "livability" standards,
sustainability and emphasis on affordability. The committee agreed that the concluding statement that
not every site would be amendable to all elements of the values, but each should be independently
evaluated against each element. Suggested edits from the committee were incorporated and Ms Hai
agreed to consult with the Commission on Disabilities to ensure the appropriate language they had
suggested was used.
The committee agreed that the substance of the statement met the committee's goal.
The committee then moved to discussion of next steps.
Ms Hai reviewed the charge and stated that engaging a zoning consultant would be next. Because of
state procurement rules,this would need to be done by the Planning Dept. staff. She asked the
committee for input toward the desired work product to be outlined in a request for proposals from
zoning consultants.
The committee listed several elements of the work to be done by the consultant including: broader peer
review of zoning bylaws in other communities, deeper evaluation of our bylaw and history of what it has
produced.
Mr Canale suggested that we had heard repeatedly that the issues identified were not from the bylaw
itself but the regulation and so review of regulations should also be part of the work product.
Ms Kowalski suggested that the public benefit section of the current bylaw had been underutilized and
would like the consultant to look at potential recalibration of the bylaw to increase production of
affordable housing, stating that four units is quite a low number.
Mr Triestch suggestd other communities include process in the bylaw, as a possible way to address Mr
Canale's comment.
Mr Daggett asked for a case study style of review and stated that affordable housing is only one of the
values and the bylaw needs to address the full value statement.
Ms Weiss stated that whatever we produc needs to be clear, predictable and spell out any density
bonus. Further, under the balanced housing consider decreasing the 2700 sq' unit size and add smaller
components. She would like to see cottage zoning.
Staff to incorporate this feedback into RFP.
Ms Hai then asked about how the committee wanted to report to the upcoming Special Town Meeting.
Committee asked Ms Hai and Mr Triestch to draft a report. Ms Hai agreed and will circulate the draft
prior to the next meeting. She reminded the committee of open meeting laws prohibition on
deliberation outside of open meetings and requested no conversation be held on the draft prior to the
meeting. There was general discussion on the content to include in the report.The committee decided
to hold an editing session in 3 weeks.
Ms Hai then reviewed the additional information and alternative zoning bylaws which are on the
committee webpage, both for form and general style as well as specific suggestions.
Meeting was adjourned 8:03pm