[music] >> Okay, it's June 22nd, 2026 at 5:30 and I'm opening this Granby Planning Board meeting. And tonight we have a full board. Full board. So, first
first thing I want to address is positions. Start with the the um the chair. >> Do you want to do chair again? >> So, for anybody that wants it. >> It's all you, Jim. >> Yeah, it's all you.
It's not okay. >> I would say you were the best suited. >> Yeah, all right. So, we'll give it another year. >> Okay. That okay with you? >> It is, but I'm I want somebody If you're going to Well, whoever's going to be the uh the vice chair.
So, you have to start to pick up the >> Well, Melissa, you have a lot of experience, too, cuz you've been on other planning boards. >> Yeah. >> So, maybe you could be vice chair again. >> I mean, I'm I will do whatever anyone wants me to do. >> All right. So, I'll entertain a motion
for the chair. >> Okay. I will vote at James Trumpy as chair of the Granby Planning Board. >> We have a second? >> I second it.
>> Any further discussion? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Vice chair. Anybody else want to take it? You want to take it? I mean >> It would make some more sense. >> Yeah, you want to? >> Okay. It's fine.
>> All right. Do we have a motion for Vice Chair? >> I'll make a motion that Melissa St. Germain I hope I say your last name right. be the Vice Chair for 2026. I didn't want to. >> I'll second. >> I'll second that motion for Melissa to
be the Vice Chair. >> Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Treasurer. Who currently has it now? >> I do. Yeah. >> And it don't over burden you?
>> [laughter] >> I survived just fine. I can do it again. >> All right. So, I'll look to entertain a motion for >> [laughter] >> I will nominate Christopher Geraghty as Treasurer. >> Do we have a second?
>> I'll second. >> We have a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> And then Secretary. >> I was doing Secretary. I don't really do anything. But I could. I could take notes for anything.
>> Okay. >> Great. >> So, do we have a Has anybody else want to? Anybody else interested in Secretary? >> Ken? >> No. >> [laughter] >> Ken's a good point. >> I know. >> All right. I'll entertain a motion for Secretary.
>> I'd make a motion to nominate Nita Abbott as Secretary Granby Planning Board. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> I.
>> That wasn't that exciting. >> That was exciting, but you don't want to say anything. >> So, Mr. Chair, you also typically nominate your PVPC commissioner. Last year was Mr. LaFleche. >> You're right. Did it overburden you this past year?
>> As you see. >> [laughter] >> All right. I'll let's entertain a nomination for Pioneer Valley. >> Um I make a motion Mr. LaFleche is the Pioneer Valley uh Planning Commission commissioner for Granby.
>> Second. >> I. >> Any further discussion? All in favor? I. Motion carries. Okay, we're going to jump right to the Z&R. Mr. Supowski, can you come up and show
me show us what you're Just come and show us. Just bring it. >> I don't know if you can see it. This is where our neighbor Nick Wards This is where [clears throat] our our field is right across from East Meadow. Where we have the pick-your-own strawberries. >> Okay.
>> And we used to park our camper here and stuff for checking in and checking out. >> Yeah. >> Cars and stuff. Um we're [clears throat] going to be transferring the property and I just wanted him to have a little bigger front yard or back yard or whatever. I mean, this is this is his front yard here.
>> 202 So, you're you're going to cut This is the This is all part of this and you're going to cut this. >> I'm just subdividing this out to the area to his property. >> You'll You'll build him that later. Okay. That's nice of you. >> Well, he's a good neighbor. >> Cashier, you got
an award for taking that place and did what you did with it. You did a nice job. >> Yeah, very good. >> So, everybody else Everybody [clears throat] see the >> Yep. >> the change? >> You're just giving them a little You're giving them 26,000 square feet. Essentially. >> Okay.
Anybody have any questions? >> No. >> All right. I'll entertain a motion. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to put this A&R to grant 26,481 square feet to the abutter, Nicholas
Waters. >> Second? >> I'll second it. >> Any further discussion? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Aye. >> We'll assign these for you and then you take We keep every We keep four
copies of the mylar and you can take the other one. And you want to uh goes to the registry of deeds. >> Okay. >> Is there a fee for this or anything? >> Yeah. >> 250. >> Okay. Do you have the mylar sharpie over
there? >> Okay. This will make life easier. Yeah, I'll just do it all in one shot. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. All right. We'll put this one on top. I think we needed a new sharpie. >> There is. >> It was not in the budget. Sorry.
>> I'll donate you one. >> Ooh, this one's not good either. Thank you. Just sign this. >> It's okay. We're good. >> Yeah. >> That's good. >> That'll be fine. >> All right, this should be good. >> So, the resolution of the registered
deeds for my wife, you take that with >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's been a while since I've done it. It's been a while since you've done it. >> Yeah, since you said that. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> Long time ago. >> It was back in the '90s, wasn't it? >> Thanks.
Thankless. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Are you going to stay busy? >> Um Running around. Running here. You know, I I help out when I'm at the stand, basically. Go for stuff. >> Slowing down. It's good. >> Yeah, they're they're going to do okay
there. They're going to do a good job. >> You have another dead pan here. >> I'm just going to switch. >> Pretty much. Yeah. >> Oh. Can I finish Can I finish I wasn't going to say anything. wait what is it a pound for strawberries 11 or picking
up okay you don't do it Atkins that's what you did I don't know what you're doing with strawberries you have a pen over there a sharpie there's a blue one right there what's this guy who sells you know who sells
strawberries the local strawberries we'll get them eventually you you're family has strawberries too right are you the one who sells to Atkins or not no it's probably Norse well for 11 they're probably advertised as organic
join okay I'm pretty sure that I would pay $11 for strawberries that aren't white in the middle that stuff that comes from that mealy they've gotten better over the years the ones from Florida ain't so bad the California ones yeah well I knew that
I like the fun wild strawberries those are really good see the white ones? >> Yeah, those are wild strawberries. >> Yeah, they're weird. They're white. >> They're white. Yeah.
>> For real? You seen them at Aldi's here in this >> Yeah. >> Okay, so what's my You're going to give [snorts] it to me? >> Yeah, one at the bottom. >> Yeah. >> Oh, and you can sign this one, too. Please. >> And what's that? Thank you very much.
>> Take care. >> I tried to garden. >> No, it's a good year. >> We have tons of strawberry plants, but the drought killed them all. I cannot garden, just >> I don't even have my pumpkins in the ground. >> At all? You have to get really early, otherwise
they don't grow that big. Yeah. >> It's like nothing Take care. >> Take care. I'm only going to be able to do sugars, probably. >> Okay. Do we have minutes to approve? >> Um I sent or we sent them, but I don't have them here. >> All right, we're going to we're going to
skip right over that. Um I'll entertain a motion to close the meeting. >> Okay. Close. Close the um planning board meeting to the public. Uh has >> I'm kind of Do we have a second? >> I'll second it. Okay.
>> We're going to go into a hearing, so we got we're going to have to close this meeting and go into our meeting. >> Okay. Good. I'll send an email to you. >> So, it's been seconded. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> All right. Now, I will open up the public hearing
at 5:44 for special permit for Mohammad Khan, 30 West State Street, owner applicant for a sign illumination internal and in excess of 9 square feet
at 30 West State Street, known as known as Assessor's Map 4A-A-2. >> Hi again. Um we're just putting new facing on an existing ID sign. >> So, it requires a special permit for two
reasons. It exceeds the square footage that our crazy sign bylaws state. And it's backlit. >> Yep. >> Is that the whole thing or just the numbers? >> Just the numbers. Uh no, the whole thing.
>> The whole thing. >> Just the logo and the numbers. >> Was that something the company gave you so you had to have that sign? >> Yes. This is exactly the mock-up. If you guys want to see this, you can see this too, but yeah. >> So,
this isn't the only sign that's backlit in the downtown. >> Yep. >> Um as I stated at the last meeting, they have to advertise their their pricing. That's what's That's a state
>> State Yep, state law. And the last sign was backlit, also, if I'm not mistaken. >> Yeah, there's power to the building. Yep. >> Yep. >> And the ID sign as well. >> And in order to do what they need to do there, um this would look much better than >> Yeah.
>> light shining shining down. >> Yes, 1,000%. With a broken tarp. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> And and it also allows them to change the electronic >> Yes. Anytime of the day, remotely. This is That's why we're going with this specific company. Perfect. >> Yeah, the Polish National Credit Union
right next door has illuminated >> I think they're up for time and temperature. >> Yeah. Right next door. And there's others including the the Granby Elementary School illuminated custom sign. >> Yeah.
>> And we approved one I think we approved one for the Camp Curtis building Camp Curtis building. >> Oh, yeah. Mhm. >> The Cumberland Farms right there on the corner, um it's numbers. I don't know if it's back-lit though.
I can't remember. >> It's digital. >> It's digital. Digital I know that, yeah, but as far as back-lit I can't recall. I don't have a problem with it. >> Me neither. >> I Yeah. Our sign bylaws need some
serious >> [snorts] >> addressing for consistency and ease of figuring out what's allowed and what isn't. Although that this place has been closed for more than 2 years,
I don't see any other way of accomplishing what they need to accomplish without without allowing this. >> Yeah. It's not a hindrance. >> Before we I entertain a motion, is there any anything you want to add? >> No, I think as you as you mentioned, um it
it cuz the use has not been Typically, I think the planning board in the past 7 years have approved signs in kind. So, basically, just replacing signs where they are. But, because this particular use hasn't existed in 2 years, the reason the requirement for
adhering to the zoning bylaw is why they need a special permit for those particular new the particular elements, which is the sign illumination and the excess of 9 sq ft. So, that's the reason
why they're um from the zoning board. >> Okay. >> Um >> Okay. >> Yeah, I don't see a problem with them. I mean, I think it looks better than what it is now. >> If I If I may just ask you to um
identify yourself. >> Oh, Aisha Khan, daughter of Muhammad Khan. >> [laughter] >> And Aisha, is there signage on the actual structure like >> Okay, so there is signage on the canopy. This is a shield image. Um
it's a typical canopy. There's nothing special about this. It will go on the actual canopy that's already there. And there's signage on the pump as typical it is. >> [snorts] >> So, these are going to be brand new pumps with a big screen,
chip compliant, Apple Pay, tap to pay. You know, it's obviously going to be 21st century. Um we've painted the building and stuff, so we're ready like building-wise we're ready, but just this stuff has to get ordered and it takes some time, so we're waiting on this to move forward.
>> Is the canopy being lit? >> Um no, there's no like bar or anything like that on the canopy. Whatever's existing underneath the canopy is existing. >> So, lighting the actual lot. >> Yep. >> With the Okay. >> Technically, you should have had a site
plan with you. >> Okay. >> Because it because it sat dormant for over 2 years. >> Mhm. The one thing I have left with fire marshal is like submitting an updated floor plan. So, I'm doing that tomorrow morning.
So, everything in the building is staying same. The gondolas are all being put in the same place. It's just we're updating fire marshal code for like emergency lights and things like that. And everything will be functioning. >> Well, let's just stick with the sign for tonight. >> Yeah.
>> So, do we have a Do I have a motion to to address this? >> Yeah. >> Before What What are the hours that this is going to be? >> It's going to be like a typical 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or
Yeah. I don't anticipate Granby needs a 24-hour site unless you guys don't have anything, then maybe it might be good, but is the Cumberland Farms a 24-hour? >> They just turned 24 hours. >> Okay. So, there might be a need, but I we don't anticipate that happening at
any time soon. So. >> I think they just turned 24 hours probably within the last year. >> Seems to be a common trend lately. Everyone is saying like it's cheaper to have the lights on than off, so I don't know, but how much cheaper is that an off? >> Right.
But, I don't think there is anything else on 202 that's 24 hours. Yeah. >> We have some like internally, we have some drawings being done for the floor plan to add like food and things. That will I will come back when that's
fully ready, but it's going to take me some time. And at that point, we can have that conversation. I feel like if it's going to be 24 hours, people should have food and >> For the interior? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we don't have anything >> Yeah. So, that that'll be later down the line, but we're hoping we'll we'll get there. >> Okay, so I'll entertain a motion for the
sign. >> Sure. I will make a motion to approve the illuminated sign internally in an excess of 9 square feet at 30 West State Street. Um as known as Assessor's Map 4A-A-2.
>> Also, the size >> Oh, and then the size is um uh 97 and 3/8 inches wide and um 54
uh and 5/8 uh tall and the ex- the existing pole they're going to use, which is um 7 ft. >> Good. Do we have a second? >> I'll second the motion. Sign.
>> Any further discussion? All in All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Motion carries. You have approval. >> Thank you. Do you want me to leave this with you or >> Uh yeah, sure. Um so, I should we're going to um
So, typically we have to write the decision and then um we'll get the chair to sign it and then once the chair signs it it needs to be filed with the town clerk. >> Okay. >> There's usually an appeal period of 20 days. >> I'll sign this. Okay. And for the newspaper, do I have to pay for the
newspaper ad? >> Yeah, um Cathy will send an invoice. Yeah. >> All right. Awesome. Thank you, guys. Hopefully we get to open soon. >> Okay. >> Do you have any correspondence, anything from that? >> No, this is all everything here.
>> Well, you have to close the public hearing. >> Oh, yeah, we will. Close the public hearing. >> Okay, motion to close the public hearing. >> Okay, I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. >> And and
go back into regular session. >> And go back into regular session. >> Second. >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> I don't have correspondence. Um, there was this.
This is uh tax splits and subdivisions This is assessors. Thank you. Thank you. >> So, this is not a notification to us? >> No, I think it's just an FYI. No, we just sent to you because you guys
are doing a new one. >> So, they're so that they can keep up with the taxing >> [snorts] >> any new owners as they move. >> Yeah. >> But, they're notified that's they get one of the copies of the the plans we signed.
>> Great. >> So, that they understand what's going on. They can take whatever action they need to to collect the and transfer that portion of taxes to the new owners. Okay. I'm going to turn this over to
Ken now to talk about >> Yeah. So, So, at the last meeting, the the the conversation lent itself to updating the board about the zoning bylaw update project work that
the other committee was doing. Um, that grant ends June 30th. So, the work that we were doing with that committee was basically to reformat and reorganize the bylaw that currently is standing. Um, there have been no
uh, changes, although we've we've identified small changes to um, how certain sections are referenced. So, if they previously said section, you know, 10 whatever, and now that section is in section two,
it's changing that citation and reference. Um in addition to identifying maybe some um low what's the less contentious kind of amendments that you typically can handle in a housekeeping type of
um zoning bylaw amendment, which this is uh which is what the work of the the zoning bylaw update committee has been doing. Um you know, and so the work is finishing up, and you know, I imagine that in the next month next one of the next two
meetings presented to the planning board um basically a bylaw that is reformatted. So, the idea is to contemplate that particular change for a future town meeting, which basically organize reorganizing the bylaw.
Um not changing any sort of content, but rather just reorganizing it um in new sections that are better um that better uh create a better flow and readability of the of the document. So, that's one
component. That's something that probably is going to be coming forward for The other item was something that we talked about in the past and continued to talk about. Um and what is before you are um amendments to possible um
zoning amendments to your outdoor display merchandise, select your goods and wares, and then um the language about home occupations um which also is presented to you.
So, the idea there is to um maybe in addition to the housekeeping zoning amendment bring forward in a future public hearing these kind of little changes, but still substantive
enough that needs to be brought forward to a town meeting. Think it's up to the board how they want to proceed with regard to this and what kind of strategy you want to employ. I think the overhaul or the rewriting of the
bylaw or reorganizing is probably going to be a big thing already um as far as the education to the community. I think one of the things that I gather and one of the insights that was shared by uh one of the members of the committee who
is on the finance committee and also on the CBA um was that they tried to do a general bylaw amendment a couple of years ago during COVID and it was didn't go anywhere. Like it was tabled because of
little things that the public um brought forward. Um and so I think the idea is to not do that, to not replicate that, but come up with a process by which both the planning board and the community are aware of this I I
think this is the the the housekeeping amendment which is the reorganizing and reformatting of the bylaw. It's probably the thing that will allow the board to continue talking about future amendments because then we're like, "Oh, the planning board reorganized their bylaw. There's lots of and identified areas to
um you know, strike, to do this and that um that hopefully will then lead to the future discussions about future amendments. And so those future amendments as we've been identifying include lots of layers, housekeeping
some alignment uh not housekeeping. Um home occupations, some alignment with medical offices, things like that. Um so you know, the idea here is to over the next couple of weeks while there are no development applications
um try to figure out what that strategy might look like and what kind of support or what kind of process the board wants to move forward with with regards to those amendments. >> So there's Just interrupting here. So it's not just
those two that we're talking about. >> Sure. >> Home occupation and displaying of outdoor displays of goods and wares. It's also >> So increasing the size of our
accessory buildings. >> Mhm. >> Yes. And you know, whether or not I believe Jim you mentioned at our community meeting on when last Wednesday that maybe something in a joint setting with the ZBA would be
helpful. >> Well, what So what I what I told the ZBA chair is that once we get all of this put together, we'll have a joint meeting before before we have a hearing. >> Okay. >> To make sure they're on board with it. If there's something they want us to
tweak, we'll take that under advisement and tweak it if necessary. But we need to have a joint meeting with um before before the article goes to the select board and before we have our our hearings.
>> Okay. Have they raised any areas of concern cuz so far? >> Well, the accessory building >> hot hot button item >> It's not such a such a hot button, but the 1,200 square feet
isn't We've talked about it. It's not a large and and we haven't denied one yet. for a larger >> Yep. >> today. Um Clarifying what goods and wares are and
that that needs to be squared away. >> Mhm. Home offices. Those are Those are the main things. But, just 2 years ago they tried to do a bylaw change. You know, not zoning, but
the the general bylaws. And it It happened during COVID. It was in a tent. It was hot. People just amended, amended, amended. And finally the whole thing got thrown out. And the people that worked on it got disgusted and left.
We're not going to do that. >> Right. >> Um we're going to stage it, right? We're going to stage it so that we put the articles together as they need to be put together so that if if there's one that's a hot topic that we think is going to be controversial, it'll stand on its own.
So, and the other thing is, you know, I don't control the meetings. The the moderator does. But, my opinion is there I I won't allow or don't want
any amendments on the floor that that are going to change the article. There's too many unintended consequences after the fact that they're It gets done on the floor willy-nilly, and then we find out later, which we've done in the past with the with the solar, that it it had unintended consequences.
consequences, and we had to go back and and change a bunch of stuff to >> And there's no time to do diligence. >> I've never heard of it being changed on the floor [clears throat] like that. >> Unless it's a uh uh uh uh spelling error or something small.
My My opinion is you vote it up or down. >> That's it. >> Or kick it back to committee. >> Right. >> So, now for the housekeeping amendment, is there going to be like a redline version that we can have?
>> So, yeah. After finalizing that, we'll share that with the board for the next meeting. So, we are finalizing what we're submitting to the state for the work that we've completed. >> Yeah. >> Um, but it literally is a red line. It's mostly >> only be section numbers, right? >> Right. >> Cuz I think if we have that and show
that, that's proof that nothing else is changing and it's not like stuff is trying to get slid in. >> Well, >> Well, as stage one, right? So, like if we address that first. >> Well, >> I want to check with town council. I don't know if that has to that has to be
voted on by the town. I think that's >> Yeah, I think you would want to check with town council. I I think it's substantive enough that it probably does require >> It's not changing the bylaw. It's just rearranging. >> reorganizing in reference >> It's the reference to that's it. Yeah.
>> And I've been told before that that doesn't need to go to town meeting. That's just >> The redacted version? >> Yes, but again, we we'll check with town council and be sure on it before And if we have to, we have to, but >> I mean,
>> We'll still have to have the the the red line copy of it, so that we >> Cuz I think the redacted copy will show that it's not the things are changing significantly, just >> Well, nothing None of the bylaws have changed. We didn't know content.
We're just reor- It's being reorganized so it can be referenced >> Right. >> correctly. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, so >> And just to give you a hint on that, we had a hearing for it last week and not a soul town showed up. >> So, yeah, it's like the table of contents changing in addition to
how certain sections are referenced within the bylaw. So, for instance, if your section of the bylaw on solar says you have to refer to the special permits section, now it's going to be the new special permits section, right? Whatever number citation that it's going to be.
>> Town council's going to want to see it before he before he >> Yeah. He weighs in on it, but I mean, we're certainly going to put it out there and discuss it, but I don't know if if it has to go to a vote. >> Yeah. So, what we'll do with the board is
utilize our next planning board meeting for those conversations with regard to that particular section of the bylaw. I think the idea here, as Jim was saying, was we can also you know, walk and chew gum at the same time. So, that's that's a big portion of
it, right? But then there are these other amendments that can be stand alone. So, whether or not you take it on for this special town fall town meeting or something that you want to do in the spring. Um the idea also is um if you have a public hearing, the
town meeting has to take on that agenda within 6 months of that public hearing. So, presumably if you have a public hearing this summer or early fall for something like the reorganization plus maybe doing something on
>> [clears throat] >> goods and wares and home occupations. You would need to have that public hearing, but then in the fall have the public town meeting with those warrant articles. Um so, then you'd also want to be thinking
about what makes sense. Like, is it Are these big enough? Are you know, are they Do you want them to be done now or can I wait till the spring? So, but we'll also be doing other stuff, right? There's some other things that we've identified uh
like the increasing um the size for uh accessory buildings and what that permitting might look like in addition to the building uh inspector identifying some language in the fences bylaw for to um strike. Um
in addition to we'll present to the board some other considerations for the future Um in addition to the ones that we kind of also established in the seven years that I've been working with your bylaw. So things for instance
as communities are now navigating a whole new permitting process for solar. They're amending solar and batteries. So that's something that many communities are currently tackling. Whether or not the the town wants to
adopt some sort of language for ADUs. I know the board the previous board not this board. You know, they decided that you didn't need to. I think other >> But it needs to be inserted. >> Yeah, I mean you can insert it like >> So it's there so
>> as a use and it just is that it complies with the state law and it's a building department that approves >> So so so that needs to be part of this. I would like to have this done sooner rather than later. Everything
that we've just discussed including any of the sign stuff that could could be addressed right away. The sign the sign's going to be a something to get into all the signage stuff that we have. That's going to take a little bit more work. >> Yeah.
>> And maybe we identify some small changes. >> Some small changes that we >> Okay. >> Internally illuminated that kind of stuff that we're not address that in this package and then and then
have it ready to go to town meeting. >> So this committee is only through the end of this month? >> Right. >> Cuz we just had a list of eight things. So like Do we need to go through these and prioritize or
>> I think it's the up to the board to decide. The committee, you know, in working with the committee they identified that these larger conversations regarding considerations, it's great to bring them up, but at the end of the day it's the planning board, right? You're It's your role to have the
public hearing and have the conversation about prioritizing that. Um you know, the the final products for this project will include the strike-through version underlying version in addition to um some other considerations that we're
bringing forward based on best practices, based on things that we're seeing in other communities. The board can take it or leave it. Uh and maybe that's a future conversation, but you know, we'll we'll utilize the maybe the next two planning board
meetings to kind of go through that in addition to um you know, maybe finalizing what you might be looking at for the future. It's the uh special this fall. >> Again, this I'll reiterate it in public.
I was against this committee being put together. They did a lot of hard work, they took a lot of time, but it should have been we're already doing it, right? So, we have two different levels of this going on and then ultimately we're going to have the final say what we want
to present based on you know, how We don't want to put it We don't want to bring a lot of stuff to one town meeting because nothing will get accomplished. >> Yeah, I think we need to have a list of each component and then we can
prioritize and group based on that list. Well, without that list it just seems scattered cuz there's so many different things we just talked about. >> So, I think what I think for for that for your next meeting, in addition to
the reformatted bylaw, we'll have that list for you. So, it will be the things that you've already seen some amended language, right? Those other things that we've identified don't necessarily include amended language. It's like, maybe the town should adopt
something regarding cannabis or solar or battery based on a lot of the new state law, right? And or you know, cuz the the permitting process is going to change for solar. You know, is that something that you want to address in your zoning bylaw?
Maybe, maybe not. Um but I think to your point, Kristen, it is for the board purpose really trying to understand what is it? How do we prioritize this um possible changes? Um and then, you know, from there decide
how you want to move forward. But I think offering you know, these amended language and being able to speak to that, whether or not you think outdoor goods and wares is something you want to do this fall or in the future, same with um
you know, the home occupation and the medical office and the alignment with the overlays. You want to do that. Um but it is the planning as Jim said, it is the planning board that will have the public hearings. And so, we can utilize the planning board
meetings to have this conversation. >> And so, >> [clears throat] >> things change. The The other thing we want to address is the food trucks. >> Oh, yeah. And I just got something from another community that I should check. >> Oh, those are the things to me that we're we're getting hit a lot with and I
want to address those more importantly than not >> [clears throat] >> more importantly than maybe some of the other things. But I >> I haven't had any solar applicants in a while now. >> Well, that's the other thing we got to have a conversation. Why haven't we had any solar applications? The The
infrastructure's being upgraded. >> Are you talking residential or utility scale? >> Utility scale. >> Utility scale? >> Okay. >> And we assume that in this town adopted moratorium, they made it >> They did and then they and then they
They did while the planning board presented some changes to the bylaw and then it got screwed up on the town floor again with making amendments going from a 50-ft setback to a 250-ft setback,
which means which made most properties that wouldn't qualify anymore. >> So, that deterred most >> Well, we haven't had to because we haven't seen any applications. And I know they've they've been working on the You probably know this cuz they've been working on the the
the the infrastructure to be able to accept more >> Yeah, the distribution lines. >> I know it was a very hot topic and it's pretty much it was crickets for the past I don't know, at least 2 3 years.
>> And we had some that were before us that they canceled them due to the transformers weren't in place, the the you know, like personal uh >> Yeah, the substations. >> Substations weren't capable of handling.
>> Now, they are. >> Yeah. >> Well, like the benefit of the one over um the larger one that's on uh West State Street, all those lines got upgraded with that project. So,
there's a lot of new infrastructure that the town got with that project. >> Yeah, there was one on Kendall Street that the planning board was a >> Were you here for that one? It's got denied. One person held out.
And they didn't appeal it, which they had the right to appeal it and probably would have won. But they didn't appeal it because they found out afterwards that the the infrastructure wouldn't take it, which I was a little confused. Why would
you put a project through the planning stage? >> now that I know that the lines weren't capable. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It It's supposed to go through an impact study, they call it. But the utility company, whether it's National Grid or Eversource, whoever owns that distribution line is responsible.
But if they determine that that is going to go beyond the distribution scale, and then it could potentially go on to transmission, that could trigger a whole other set of permissions. So it's a much bigger process, more lengthy process. >> Cuz then they have to change the whole
infrastructure. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Anyway, that's something else we need to take a look at. Whether we throw that in on this or not, I don't know, but >> So if I if I may add to the solar and battery conversation, um PVPC just received technical
assistance funds to help communities amend their solar and battery energy storage bylaws. So maybe I think, um you know, working with the board, uh having staff just look at your current bylaw,
audit it based on the model that's being provided by the state, and then seeing, you know, if that's something that you want to look at. >> Yeah, cuz I think >> [clears throat] >> the battery storage is often misunderstood. Um I know there's adjacent towns going
through it right now, but like a lot of towns don't understand there's a UL standard for these battery storage units, right? So they're designed to self-contain fires. Right? So, everyone's biggest concern with batteries is fires.
Right? But, if the container is UL 9540 certified, that means that that fire will not ever make it out of that container. So, what the fire department's supposed to do is have a written procedure of how to handle that. So, I think a lot of what towns are struggling with is the fire department doesn't know how to
handle it. Right? >> That's exactly That's exactly what happened here. We had an applicant before us. >> Yeah. >> And we had we we knew nothing about it. What what the runoff would be, what
>> And so, that's the whole thing is if that container is UL 9540 certified listed, >> Yeah. >> it's self-contained. So, if that thing melts down and catches fire, you just sit it sit there and you watch it burn. You don't spray water on it. You don't
do anything. Right? So, some towns were like specifying sprinklers, but it's like you don't want to put sprinklers in something that's not supposed to have water sprayed on it. >> Right. >> So, if you have a written procedure for the fire department on how to handle
that facility, right? It I think that's something that we should really look into because what a lot of people don't realize either is when is solar peak production? Middle of the day when no one's home. Right? So,
all these distribution lines where we're having issues with capacity can be offset by the batteries. Right? Because you discharge at night when everyone comes home at 7:00 and turns their lights on. So, I mean, I I would say that that's definitely high on priority
if we can start looking into some of that stuff. >> Sure. >> So, I think it would help town infrastructure quite a bit. >> Well, I think I think maybe we we address that with any of the other solar Um Yeah, so
>> setbacks that I I think are incorrect right now. That's why it's come to a >> And I think if I can add to that, what's ending up happening if towns are currently amending their bylaw, the AG's office is finding parts that are unconstitutional. So, because they're
re-reviewing the bylaw, if something passed in the past and they're like, "Yeah, this is prohibitive." They're going to say, "No more. You can't do that anymore." So, for instance, there's a community that I worked with where they had a minimum lot
size where they were like, "For a 6 MW, you needed 100 acres." That's a lot, right? And so, that's what they passed in the previous town meeting, but then we get it back from the AG's office, they increase the setbacks, they added some additional
monitoring requirements for noise. But, they struck down that whole minimum lot size. >> Well, so so that's part of what happened to Granby. To qualify for the the the the grants,
you had to become a green community. And part of that prerequisite was to allow large-scale solar. And then on town floor, we allow it, but we put restrictions in there that doesn't make it feasible.
>> Doesn't make it feasible. You can't You can't do it. >> I recall something saying you can have solar, but you cannot cut a single tree. So, it had to be like an existing field. >> That was some of the That wasn't in our bylaw, but that was some of the pushback from >> the hearings.
>> No cutting of trees. That's not That's not true, though. There's no bylaw stating that. That was just the abutters complaining that we were cutting >> what it was? >> Mhm. Well, like the And I'll I'll provide the board the
models that are coming from the state. Um if you do cut trees, the idea is that that applicant is supposed to demonstrate where they're going to either plant more or maintain. I think this whole kind of like mitigation, right? So, if you're cutting this
amount, they'll have to be putting it somewhere else if there's anything else. >> Similar to moving the wetlands, I guess. You need to duplicate >> Similar. To a to a to an extent. But, if you go >> back to the '40s, >> I was going to say that. >> this was all meadow.
>> Yeah. I know like my property, yeah, it's all the stone walls in the woods cuz it was >> Yeah, but they didn't have all these solar panels. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> That was all meadows. You could be farmland. >> Yeah, it's all grown back. So, there's there's there's an argument for that as well.
>> But, anyway, yeah, I I definitely want to Again, that's there's a lot of content with that, and there's a lot of content with the sign bylaws. I don't think we want to tackle those at the same time we're trying to make some of these in >> Yeah, I I feel like solar and battery,
that's the thing. >> That That is not >> That is a different conversation. >> It's a bigger hitting item, for >> But, the the food truck sounds easier. >> I think the food truck >> sounds pretty easy like the first one to tackle. >> it's also informing the community whether or not the planning board has a
role in that process or it's not held by what like it's done by the select board or another board. For instance, in the in um you know, Evan shared with me who was the my colleague who, you know, was here at the last meeting. Um
one of the policies that just came out of the city of Springfield, it's a city. However, DPW is only responsible if it's a uh um and it's the entity that is issuing the permit if it is something that's going to be longer than a day. But, if it's a
day, then the Board of Health is the one that issues. So >> it's like thinking creatively about what that process might look like. >> Correct. But there's two There's two different at least two different reasons they're doing that. One is food
trucks are going on public property. They're parking about it on a corner of XYZ street, right? On public property. That's that's one permit. There's another permit to allow them in town on private property.
>> Who defines who gets jurisdiction over >> I think it would be I think this would be a mixture of the Planning Board and the Select Board. >> So it's not exactly clear. >> This It's not clear. >> Yeah. >> Well, No, it is it is fairly clear.
The the Planning Board can issue the permit for the sub where where it can be located. >> It can permit, yeah, and whatever >> The Select Board issues the the Vic license, right? The Board of Health issues >> their own license.
>> And and from what I'm being told right now, the Fire Department has to inspect it. Well, what they're what the Fire Department's doing, I believe, at least out here in Western Mass, they're going to they're going to set up places for people to bring their
vehicles to. >> Mhm. >> And they can get them inspected once by the by the fire marshal by the >> one a year for the >> So they're they're good for a year and they're good for any every community. Where right now, every community wants to inspect them.
Same thing with the Board of Health. I don't know if that's going to change, but Board of Health laws are are are standard across the state. So if you're inspected by one, why do you need to be inspected by >> I got a question. >> So >> So I'm following the for instance, I'm
following the the food truck case in Easthampton, which is the community I live in. And they wanted to do a food truck park, which is across from on Route 10, across from this new development. And you know, they got the approval from the
planning board that they could have this food truck park there. But then the board of health is like, "Those trucks have to leave every day." Yeah, that's not >> That's That's not That's not their Again, that's outside their purview. >> That's outside their purview of the planning board. The planning board says
that it could go there, but then there's another regulation that dictates what happens once they're there. >> the planning board had say over the location. >> Correct. >> And that's it. >> That's it. >> And the only thing the board of health would have is that they're proper to
to operate within that >> Yeah, so >> and not during the time. >> Yeah, so the the But the board of health is They're currently talking to each other. So I don't know what's going >> And then it's then it would be the select board as far as permitting and allowing them to do that there. Assuming that the planning board said it
would they could have X amount of trucks. >> Food trucks are >> Everybody Everybody has a role in it, but they need to stick to what their own purview is. >> I think it would also be helpful for the select board and the other boards within the town to understand what their
role is. >> [clears throat] >> Well, so again, that came up recently and the town administrator, acting town administrator, which was uh
Kevin O'Brien. He set up a form so that when a food truck comes into town, they think they just need the board of health's approval. They didn't know they needed to go to to go get a vict license or to or to the
fire department. So he got that organized so that it's all on one form. >> Mhm. >> Those three entities or four entities or whatever it is >> need to sign off on it before you're allowed to operate. >> So
>> So, it's one It's one stop checklist form, basically. >> Yes. So, that was you know, that was a good thing to do. It was smart of this town to Yeah. >> Does that get passed in between departments or does the food truck vendor need to contact
>> I think they I think the food truck vendor needs to own it. Probably they don't get their vic license to operate until But they wouldn't know that. I got a vic license in the town where I reside. I thought it's been inspected by my board of health. I didn't know I needed to come out here
So, that's where some of the confusion was coming from. >> And and and I think we identified when we cuz we had the conversation maybe two years ago or a year or two ago. And it was trying to really understand what each of the boards' roles would be. And then we identified too that it was very
costly for the other permitting authorities from the vic license to the board of health. And then the the fact that if it was one day but they wanted to come next week, they needed another inspection and it was just on top of that. >> like $300 for a single
visit. You know, that's like a lot. >> it really is you know, tackling a town pro- a town issue collectively. I think the planning board can play a role in in in starting the conversation by saying, you know, on private property maybe we
can permit like the planning board can permit food trucks um with certain standards and then leave it to the devices of the other boards. However, also find best practices for the other boards out. >> Right.
>> So, you know, we could we could definitely do that research as as are talking to other communities about food trucks. >> Well, when our bylaws were written, there there weren't food trucks. And that's that's why our zoning bylaw
is a living, breathing document. We got to keep up with the times, and that's part of it. >> Just like the Vic license, that should be an annual thing versus uh per you know per day. >> Is the state conversating at all about that?
>> regulating >> Trying to make it easier for like >> I don't know. >> one inspection, one fire inspection, one board of health and >> That that conversation I'm not aware of. >> And then it's just the town saying yes, you can have it there and that's it and that's it. >> Because they think fire marshal >> Fire chief told me they're going to So they're working smart.
The I don't know if it's The board of health I would think would do the same thing. If you if you're approved, you're approved. >> But I think to Jim's point, the case in DC is the same thing. It's a case where this board of health said something, that board of health said >> They're probably going to redact that.
>> And yeah, so it's like, oh, don't play Santa to supply. >> All right, so we'll have more information at our next meeting for what the the other committee is doing. >> Yeah, well, we're going to finalize that. >> And then uh >> Mhm. You'll be able to see it.
>> You'll you'll be getting us some more information on all the things we talked about with the food trucks. >> Yeah, I I will yeah, definitely share some language. I'll also, to Chris's point, identify cuz we're doing this in the other communities that are doing this work. kind of the bullets the areas mainly
that you'd want to be looking at. But I think there's a lot also a lot of ample conversation for fall. >> Okay. >> Just not solar for fall. >> Yeah, I'd hold off on the solar. >> Yeah. >> I think >> Cuz that'll tie into [clears throat] the
to the battery storage. >> So what I think is because we have the conversation with solar and batteries, we have that technical assistance funding until May until next year. So, presumably we could do the audit like in the background and then
just share it with you. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> it looks like, but it doesn't need to be tackled with any amendments until then. >> Right. And would that individual on West Street fall under that conversation, the one with he he's been here several times for
displaying and selling of equipment? >> Currently there's nothing. >> There's an option. >> Well, I mean we have some precedents. We have some precedents based on 185 West Street. >> But we gave him a good clear direction
on what how he could operate with a fence. >> All storage, not display. >> And and we need to get that worked out. That and that's why we got to have that conversation. That's one of the topics. >> That one I think is one of the older points. >> Mhm. >> I would think persistent, I would think.
>> Yeah. >> Well, he is not displaying because he is he is storage. But like I said, I I I we gave him a good option. All he needs to do is have a fence
and it's no longer displaying. >> So, you said the inspector had something on the fence by law? >> Yeah, it was literally striking a line. >> Oh, okay. And I think it was the requirement for a permit. >> For a permit. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
So, can you can you so take each of these these um these changes and set them up so that we can workshop them >> Just bullet point them. >> So, we're just going to bullet point them by law.
>> And then and then maybe do the research and have some language to go with it. >> Sure. Some proposed. >> I mean I like what you're doing here. >> Some examples of what some other towns are doing. >> Do you have like exactly like that? Like >> [clears throat]
>> definitions okay this is what Springfield is doing this is what South Hadley is doing. Like definitions so actually get something done rather than just talk about it and then vote on it and then then we can put the articles together send it to the select board for approval and do our
thing. There's some pretty like simple stuff like I mean goods and goods and wares is a little bit more complex but you know changing the size of the accessory buildings talking about food trucks
defense bylaws. I mean there's signage there's a lot of like smaller items ADU. Well one of the other things I think I brought up here was that there's some language in our bylaws that
if it's not in our bylaw you can't you can't allow it. We got to we got to I think we all agree we can have in our bylaws something that covers everything under the sun.
We never we will never accomplish it. So that I think that needs to come out something in its place needs to be be and there's special parameters and it's special parameters. Okay we're good. Do you have anything else? You got all 10 bullet points?
Probably more. We have a lot. I'll have so I'll print out the the minutes I I did share with the board. My colleague Evan will be joining me from time to time. We're trying to figure out who gets what committee. The
right but I think because he's also been working on zoning, there might be some arrangement where I might make some meetings and he might make some meetings depending on what's on the agenda. >> You mean you want a life? >> Huh? Well, that that is if I got to go to
another community. >> [laughter] >> Um but so you know, you'll be seeing Evan as well. Um but yeah. I will for the next meeting which currently is scheduled for
um the the second Monday in July, so that would be July 13th. >> I won't be here. >> And we'll have some final work. >> Okay. Awesome. >> I won't be here at that meeting.
But if you changed it to Tuesday, I would be able to make it. But maybe you guys have to do you guys have >> I cannot make it Tuesday. >> Okay. >> But we'll >> But if you have a full meeting, then that's fine. >> have we'll have all the documents. >> Yep.
>> We'll print them out, so if you want to pick them up, you can also probably get them copied. >> Okay. >> Yeah, if he's here. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um entertain a motion to adjourn. >> I'll make a motion to adjourn the Granby
Planning Board meeting Monday, June 22nd, 6:37 p.m. 80. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? >> No. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> I. >> What?