[Music] Okay, it's July 20 28
5:33. promote any things to uh address amendments. I do I don't know if they're still in there. Um these were minutes. I don't have all I have like
three each one. that so approved April 28. Yeah. I I shared with them. Hey. Yeah. Share with them. Okay, everybody's recommending second. Just
turn on contemplated on Yeah. All right. All right. Okay. Guess we have a motion. We have a second with one nomation to move.
Further discussion. All in favor? I So, I'll entertain a motion to approve the meeting June 23rd, 2020. Further discussion
in favor. [Music] Okay, next on the agenda is uh reorganizing hold. This gentleman was here last view and then we can do some sort of
collection on it. There's here. Yeah. disappear. So he's sort of a little bit conditions of family and survivors
as well. because I find this expired from back and forth. What we've done in the past was if there's no if none of our
bylaws has changed, we still go through the process and it's basically an extension succeeded. So he would come back in the sense that here
was he's coming back. The only thing I I think that has changed that may or may not me is the story changes. Jamaica seem
ahead of the time here. Well, there anything whatever the new So, as far as I'm concerned, nothing else has changed
modifications. Afric has as the as the chair stated is the strong moderate regulations. here with the board is to the board of the original decision as um 2017
um chair not require public hearings. There are 45 conditions on this approval. Um, with that said, it's likely that, you know, assuming that you have either received this or not, there probably are some minor things that can
be reflected in a new set of uh reg um prints particular to the storm water. It does call out very specific um comments regarding certain lots um and storm water retention around those lots. So I
think it's just to ensure that the new plans reflect that or whatever the the amended plans um would look like. But as the chair mentioned um you know I don't I don't think going through a peer review is necessary. Yeah.
Uh assuming your um your engineer suggests and states that it meets the the current um by by by adhering to the comments from 2017 that it would meet those particular regulations. I think at the very least too as we would typically
do during a public hearing uh sending it to town staff for their additional comments. um probably want to hear from the superintendent the highway super um just regarding the storm water um but you know yeah we'll go through the regular yeah this through a regular process but
I don't think that it necessarily necessarily needs the peer review as it did when it was you know granted the first time. Um and you did mention you were trying to figure out a way how you could phase it.
Yeah. Yeah. I would like to see if I can do like either three phases are going to be uniform. Um but you know at least three phases that's possible. So there's 12 building lot. Wait no more. Well seven
is better. So it's not that bad of a thing. So phasing it, we probably have to show us how you're going to phase it and and how you're going to maintain. Again, this will be discussion when we
have the hearing, but one of the stick the sticky factors is going to be is if you're start where you start here. Mhm. So you start here and you want to call this phase one. Yeah. Then how do we get a turnaround for fire operac?
We'd have to see that so that we could get the the fire department to approve it. Mhm. Um and so on and at some point of course it's coming back out over here. Um, at some point, just my opinion, maybe once
you get to about half the second phase or this piece, I'd say we'd want the rest of this road put in. Maybe not finish, but rough grade. Yeah. A cut in with a rough base to get us to get you out.
Is this cleared? No. No. No. So think about that because I know the fire department when we when we send this out for review to and and you want us us to approve the whole project but in in phases.
Mhm. Then think about have your engineer think about it because I know the fire chief's police chief are going to have and and DPW because they're going to want a place to turn around. So, so if you're if you're not going to do the whole road at once,
do you have a timeline for phases? Um, not yet. I'd like to see how many phases I can get and how many, you know, how many months I can develop a timeline. I'll figure out a timeline. That's something I'll, you know, get together. Yeah. So, I'm just throwing that out now so
that when you come, you come with a plan, a plan that would would address that. Um I know in the past some of these developments have have gone on for several years and it's all economy based right
so the houses are selling but they've they've in the past put the whole basin clear everything clear the road put the basin the base the storm water management and the and the
the base coat and as long as it's maintained by the developer and it's it's you know then you can do it as as you go problem is sometimes you're starting here and going that way somebody really
wants this lot you know it's usually how it goes so but anyway like I like our consultant said everybody's in agreement that you know it's it's been approved once I don't see any reason why it won't get
approved zones. It meets those normal. That's the only thing I'm aware of that's changed in our bylaws for subdivisions. And uh if you're going to phase it, we're going to that's we're going to see some sort of a plan on how that's going to how that's going to go.
Yeah. I'll get together with my engineer this week. We'll start working on that. But the hearing went on July. So you just say so you on town hall an application for subdivision. Yeah.
Um how are we going to do that? Are we going to just do a we should be able to just do a hearing and and go over it rather than a a pre meetings because it's already been designed. We've already approved.
Um I mean sure. Yeah, you can. Um, I know that it it might be advantageous to just meet with staff just to reintroduce the project, but I don't see why you
couldn't just open the public hearing accordingly and then invite during the review process those comments as they come in. Yeah. So just go down, submit the application, they're the uh
processed and then that the town will look for a buyer's list. You have to they'll tell you what you need to do and then and what steps you need to do and then we get you on a schedule. We'll get you on the schedule. All
right. Thank you so much. Okay. Thank you. Good luck. And sir, you he did have the um the decision the it was a special big the special premium the for the
for the and so on. So this just I'll try again because this was something else. Yeah. So, I'll try forward. Um, is your email on that?
Davis construction. Okay. Very good. Right. It's way on the edge now. Thank you. Thank you so much. So probably you send everybody towards the front.
Oh yeah. Will that have all the same conditions? Uh if like I mean the board depending on you know what the board contemplates probably. I mean it talks about like what happens during construction after construction
whether or not you accept the road some of those don't forget that but it will have the previous 45 right correct yeah it's the original sorry we're dealing with a new fire chief so sure yeah but your point about the phasing
that's an important one with it's you know the vehicles had access to this ledge located in percolation splendid, right? Okay. Some of those were on a hill though. I
can't even imagine like asphalt would cost these days to do like we're talking about ridge the ones that are like up on that hill. I don't even not other than bridge not connected. No, it's the same
an extension. Okay. So, it's going to loop back around to power. Sure. Yeah. Okay. Reorganization. We've got four positions that need to be filled. Chair
um five chair not chair, vice chair, treasurer, secretary, PVPC representative. Okay. So, let's start with the chair.
Any I'll make a motion. I'd make a motion to keep um James Troky as chair of the planning. Do you want to be chair still? Yeah, I'll do it. I think I'll leave.
Okay. All right. So, we have a You made the motion. We have a second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I Okay, vice chair.
Um, does anyone want that position? Who's been here the second longest? Me. Are you interested in it? I would be fine with it. Um, but there definitely is some meetings that I haven't been able to attend all the
time. So that is my only hesitancy like um however I I wouldn't mind at all. You're in it. We have a we have a motion. Wow. Thanks.
Second. Any further discussion? Who made the motion? I didn't make a motion for myself. the meeting. Chris, I thought I thought Chris. Okay. Oh, go ahead. And who second?
Me. Okay. All in favor? I Okay. Secretary. No, actually the ne the the next three are pretty much Ken Whitney.
Secretary. I said the next three positions. kind of you anyway. Yeah, you'll need to work with me because then we need to figure out money so the treasurer will have a you know a role same with section.
Um I'll I'll try secretary. Okay. All right. Try so so just to explain. So sometimes you may have to take minutes, but Ken's usually here to to do Ken fills those those other two positions kind of,
right? Actually, all three in some ways, but um but it still might it's still a position that needs to be filled by the board, right? And and act as the backup and Yeah. Right. in Ken's absence.
So we have a motion for secretary. I'll make a motion to have Nina be the secretary. Second the motion second it. Any further discussion?
All in favor? I motion carries. Treasur same same kind of thing. Can I have a description on the other position? Pioneer valley. Yeah. So,
Pioneer Valley reps is the the individual that's the liaison between Gravity Planning Board and the and the Pioneer Bel. So, once that person is elected, they become
the the go-to from Pioneer. You get all the the uh information, letters, what's going on. There's meetings to go to if you choose to do so. Unfortunately again our
sorry about that our um our rep is from Pioneer Valley so he's like the first Yeah. We usually hear about it before you get anybody who look at the letter. Yes. I I think yes, as the chair stated,
it's I will usually offer a lot of the information that the PBPC, you know, usually cuz we we represent all 43 communities in the Hampton and Hampshire County and the reality is there are often times where um there are votes
that need to be taken by the member municipalities of which Grandby is one of them. you would have a vote if you attended a meeting and would be able to vote on certain things related to the PBPC. So, it's budget, you know, and other items. But, um, that's that's the
role, but I will obviously um be supporting whoever um, you know, sits in that role and feed information as necessary. So, um, since I've been on the board, anybody that's been involved in the pioneer well as as
our rep has needed a little bit, you went to a shoe meeting. I went, too. What's that on Zoom? You can do it on Zoom. So, it's okay. So, treasurer, I'd be interested be interested in treasur. Yeah.
Okay. I'll second that. The motion make the motion. Make the motion. Second. Okay. Any further discussion? No. All in favor?
Only one left. It's me. Okay. I make a motion to have Nate as our PBC. Maybe I should Pioneer Pioneer Valley Planning
Association liaison. I'll second that. Any further discussion? All in favor? I Okay. All right. that takes that portion out. Mhm.
So, I'm I'm going to jump ahead. Our next meeting is August 11th. We have a couple hearings coming. We have two public hearings on August 11th. Kathy did share with you those applications. Um they include uh 61
Pleasant Street which is a a site plan approval. Um it's not a public hearing, it's a public meeting item because it does not require the same scrutiny as a public hearing. Um, and that's for a site plan approval
for um petition of Five Corners LLC seeking a site plan approval for a day spa under section 6.3, but the green zoning bylaw is at 61 Pleasant Street. So that is scheduled
for 5:40 p.m. scheduled for 5:50. And again, obviously the time, you know, just means that these are times that you need to have them open. Um, you can always continue if necessary. Um at 550 we have a
special permit and site plan approval for um the petition of Maryland from 185 West Street seeking a special sorry West State Street seeking a
special permit with site plan approval for fast food establishment without drive for um at 185 West Street. West State Street. So those are two public hearings. The site plan approval requires three
affirmative votes. Special permit requires four. I will be able to attend August 11th. August 25th I will not be here. But August 11th I will be here. Okay.
So, it's good for me to everybody's attendance with these things because if you if you're going to be on vacation or two of you are going to be on vacation, it's it's good that the rest of us know it that we have to be here. Yep. And if they're not if if something comes up and we can't be here, but I I'd
rather cancel the meeting, right, then then the town can notify whoever was supposed to be here. Yep. Was August 25th a um a special a public hearing. It It could be because we we could
continue a meeting from the 1st. Okay. From or from I can do it on the 26th if it is a public Okay. Well, let's the 11th is the public hearing. Um let's let's see what happens after that.
Well, at that point if if something comes up when we feel that we need to continue it. Yep. Then then we can discuss date that may not coincide with our normal dates. Okay. And then cancel our normal date. Okay. All right. Um
our work plan Ken's been working on updating some of our bylaws and then and then once we once we go through them, agree to them, have a public hearing. Yep. Or hearings
um and we once that's complete then we can then we can send the articles to the the select board for approval for the next county meeting. Now running parallel to this,
our select board has has put together a new review board which I told him uh several weeks ago speaking for myself that it's redundant. We're already working on it. um they
seem to have acknowledged that, but at the same time they've gone out and put together a board to review our zoning by us. Um and the other day I got a letter stating that requesting that I participate
in the board on that particular board. I've I've stayed silent about it since because I wanted to get the feedback from this board on how you felt about it. I don't feel as though it makes sense, right? If it it seems to be a conflict,
too on it, maybe change things and then that's the way I feel about it. We're we're working here to improve this the town's bylaws on an ongoing basis because we
understand it's a it's a living document and it needs to be adjusted as time goes on. we see some of the issues before anybody else does. And to set up another board seems redundant to me. And quite frankly,
there's a there's a hard enough time getting people to show up for the the boards they commit to and then for me to go sit on another board and talk with other people about I just to me I sit on enough I attend enough
meetings. I wasn't asked. I was I was I was sent a letter to long. Yeah. To be a point. Don't you have the potential for very different opinion on either either one and that's all over the place or it could be all
over the place. Yeah. You know, Ken's part of it. It's part of a grant that was given to the town. Why the select board feel they need to to use it. um which is which is really outside of their their scope.
Planning board is charged with zoning. And to me, I'm not being territorial about it. I just I just feel it's a redundant effort. We work, we come here, we show up, we do a lot of work on not just what's presented to us by applicants, but what's also presented to
us or what we find an error or things that need to be changed going forward. Was there some background to why they put this board together? I know you they quite frankly I don't think that they didn't even have the the the
courtesy professional courtesy to notify us and and get our thoughts on what we thought. Yep. Is it possible they don't even really understand what the planning board does? I mean so many people they'll I mean but that's all all the more reason professional
courtesy reach out to the planning board. Right. Yeah. Is there potential for issues, legality issues? like not saying any governed lane really if it opens up the town for well what
whatever they do they the way the process has worked in the past is if something has has come up and and it's the select board feels it needs to be addressed they send the planning board a letter asking us to
look into right changing the zoning or or or look into it yep And we have an obligation because the select board requested it. We have that oblig obligation to do that, right? We'll look into it and if it if it if
it's uh it needs addressing, then we we look and see how it should be addressed. We hold the hearing and then we and then we we go back to the select board with a recommendation. Um
so would that review board be coming to us anyway? with their reviews and their outtakes. Well, Ken might be able to answer this better than me, but they don't have any. The select board has no jurisdiction on
zoning that I'm aware of. So, they can come up and dream up anything they want. It still has to go in. They can come to us and say, "Look at we we formed the board and we want these regulations or or but we're already doing that. It's kind of slap in the face. I just don't want people to waste their
time." That's my point on a board when you know you're reviewing all of these bylaws anyway for zoning and it's part of the grant and so I just don't want people thinking that they're going to be going through all the bylaw. I mean or are you like open
to welcoming the help or opinion? No. And the thing is every community does it differently. I I've worked with a committee. I've worked with the planning board. Um, so we're doing this in two other communities at the m the same kind
of the same time frame. Yep. And I'm working with the planning boards. Um, it's it's hard because they're also very busy planning boards, right? Um, with regards to development applications that they somehow have to fit, you know, review of a public
document. Um, but I think some of that conversation is also lending itself to having additional meetings or meetings during the day with planning board members and or others. Um,
but again, it's it's different all over, right? And you know, I think as the chair stated, the town has identified a a committee that was um formed by the select board that in includes different
people in town government um that may have some insight to permitting and development in town. But yeah, that's you know, it's kind of navigating that. Um you know and as you know uh my
intention is to after the meeting on the board uh the 11th the following meeting whenever that's scheduled is to share with you the zoning diagnostic because I am near finished with it. It is a report it's a review um it's a you know a a a
highle review of your zoning some missing items considerations for future iterations and amendments. Um obviously as you know Jim had stated over time I've also circled a lot and also made comments about things that need to
change. So that will be identified not necessarily language yet but more so this needs to be changed you know and figure out what that looks like. Will the changes go like I think she was asking Melissa was asking like will they go here and then we'll decide if the
changes will be made or will they go directly to town meeting and then they will have to go to town meeting if their official zoning changes um the planning board will have to have its public hearing if the planning board decides that that is an appropriate change or
someone brings it to the planning board and the planning board has its meeting and says this is appropriate. Um, so I think what the select board is trying to do is just get different voices in process. Um, yeah. And so that's my understanding.
So 35 here people example of what's taken place in the past and I probably brought this up before. We've got we've we've had things brought to town meeting and amended on the floor.
Mhm. and the town votes for it and it goes through and then it comes back to us. It was allow the amendment was allowed. It comes back to us and says, "Well, by doing that, it also caused two other problems that we have to rectify because of
because of what was done, right? They don't have the full scope of what the ramifications of just, you know, changing something on the floor.
the if it if the town doesn't like it, they vote it down and they send it back to committee to to review because there's there's every every move you make on that that bylaw may have adverse changes,
right? So, I mean, my suggestion would be for them to sit tight, look at the changes that you're making to the bylaws and see if after we we meet on it and if there's any changes, then if they still
think that there's additional changes that are needed, maybe then do a committee. But at this point, I don't think that it's probably necessary before Ken comes up with the changes that he's going to be making. And I don't know where he is budget-wise, but the money that is
appropriated has to be spent by for the big grant or the small diagnostic. So the small grant. So yeah, I mean it's we're going to burn through that just with the changes that we already
recognized to be made. Yeah. Yeah. So, the other grant should be at our discretion because it's it is for zoning. Yeah. It it would accomplish some of the same things that you would want to do through the zoning diagnostic process. Again, you know, the grant the zoning
diagnostic is a report. It identifies areas of the bylaw which probably should be amended based on lots of various kind conversations that we've had over the years. Um, uh it may identify already some language
whether or not the planning board wants to act on those again you know you have every right to based on that and based on what the report is the do the larger $50,000 grant um is supposed to go and has some scoped items that include um
either a survey or community meeting um so there's community engagement attached to that particular Um, in the other communities, they're identifying the like a community meeting where we're going to talk about their zoning,
where we're going to talk about some of the um, you know, things that probably should be in there or may need to get addressed in addition to allowing for them to um, have some comment on areas
where you might want to see some additional preservation or development. um you know reviewing your current zoning map, things like that. So you know this exercise through the larger grant is supposed to you know involve
people whether or not it's the planning board like overseeing that practice or another committee overseeing the process. Um that's that's the goal of that. um in addition to doing a um
line by line review of the zoning bylaw. But it should be our choice if we do choose a committee to review these bylaws because it is a grant that is giving given to the planning or to use for reasonzoning right for the
town. Yeah, that's kind of my take on it too. like we would be in a position where we feel we need the additional help, right? But it doesn't appear that that's the case, right? Kenneth, there's language in the
function of the town saying that zoning issues or whatever shall be governed by the planting board. As Jim stated, all the zoning board is a responsibility. Any amendments to
the zoning bylaw have to go through the the planning board. So even if a citizen identified something they did not like in the bylaw and said we need to change this. They get their citizen petition completed, you know, it it goes through a process. They have to pay for a public
hearing in before the planning board, go through a review by the planning board. Um and the planning board would provide its recommendation and then the go to tone meeting with a recommendation from the planning board. So anyone could submit a zoning bylaw. Uh but the
planning board's responsibility is to go through a public hearing to talk about it. Um and then it will go to town meeting. So anything they decide still has to be channeled through. Yeah. So, the zoning bylaw committee,
you know, formally, I'm assuming, um, would have a recommendation to the planning board that there are items in here that we'd like to see changed or address what they actually want to do with the bylaw, bring that before the board. I understand.
Yeah. Okay. It just Yeah, it sounds kind of wasteful. Is the select board aware that Ken is reviewing the bylaws? I don't know what they're what they're aware of. Do you tell them that at a at a at a public meeting? You did say that.
Yeah. And I and the town is aware um of the grant that was given at the beginning of the year. So that's the grant that was given at the beginning of the year to do this diagnostic phase. But because of our time, you know, of my time here
with the board, we can do a lot more with that money because it's more efficient because we've identified a lot of issues already, right? Um, so where I'm doing this work in other communities, it's seeing the bylaw for the first time. I mean, I've seen this by for five years and we've amended
it more times. So, um, as you know, Jim was stating, there is a place already where the planning board can can act if they choose to based on some of the recommendations from the diagnostic um, and, you know, move through that
process to take it to to a town meeting. um even before the other work is kind of happening in parallel and nobody knows better than we know as far as what issues you've come up come up to you know
right can't come across for for instance um where it states and if if it's not if it if it's if it's not in bylaw, it's not allowed. In other words, food trucks or or or
whatever. If it's not in the bylaw, it's not Well, that's absolutely ridiculous. You can't you can't you can't have everything that's we need to change the wording, right? We've talked about this, right? Ken's working, you know, and and the
sheds is one of the the deals. The other big one. So, what you're afraid of is you're going to go to this committee meeting. You got other people going to come up with all these ideas have nothing to do with these things. So, you're wasting a lot of time. Well, and I'm not going to spend any. I spent enough time for the town, you know, and five other committees for the town.
So, you know, it's just making more work, but so necessary, right? And to me, it's a sock and a face to the board. Yeah.
Vote to absorb this committee. So is the committee being formed for sure or what is it's formed um because I also I'm on the committee. So now if zoning is under the planning board does the select board have
jurisdiction to do to form a committee that is focused on zoning? I mean presumably they do um based on the fact that they have the ability to review something but but at the end of the day it still has to go before.
All I can do is here planning board here's our recommendations. It's not it's more work. So if it's already formed is there anything that we can do about it?
Can we appeal it or anything like that? No, I didn't mean to do any of that. You know, I haven't said any more that I I brought it up several weeks ago with when I was at the town for
before the select on something else and I brought it up and and then since then I haven't talked about it because I wanted to get some food, right? I think the the
way to address it would be to talk to the select and I don't want to do that without No, I agree that we should talk to the select board about it because we don't want them to be doing work that Ken's already doing.
Well, we can all get on their agenda or I can go down and speak to them or or however you guys want to do it. It's up to you. I didn't want to speak on behalf of the board without getting getting everybody. You have my per Well, you have my permission. I don't know about anyone else, but
yeah, I think it's redundant. I think it's it's not needed. Okay. I do appreciate other people's opinions on my stuff, but
I don't think it's brought to the right channels. I think we could work together with the select board if they have certain opinions, but a whole committee and I don't know if it's reasonable.
And the and the thing is any of these changes we're making, we have to have a formal review. may have to have a couple of formalities to get in feedback before before it goes to a a recommendation to the to the select
board to make it an article. Right. It's not money well, Scott, I think. Okay. Do we have anything else? Do you have any lunch? Um I actually do. So um my colleague
Aiden um McMahon who will be um meeting at some point. Um he helped me put together rules and regulations for the board. So I have a draft document. I've been working on that last year. I'd like the
board to take a look at that. I'll share that with you. Um it should be adopted. Um it includes a fee schedule. Um you know we've had some issues with application fees I think in the past and really trying to come up with a process
to ensure that the planning board has funds um from the application. So that includes like after a per um a public notification goes out you know making sure that the town the planning board is collecting those fees paying from that
that um bucket of money. in addition to the uh time that um is typically charged to the applicant based on your professional consultant's time. So, you know, I identifying those hours, invoicing and going through that asset.
So, I'll be working with you closely, Chris, to do that. Um but through the um through the rules and regulations, I think it will also be helpful for the board to you know either get a refresher or um god forbid the chair uh decides to
leave one day, you'll know what to do. Um and so I think it's it's a matter of a reminder for how a board meeting is supposed to occur and some of the various steps there and you know we'll go through that process. Um but that's a work product that you know we worked on
last year. Um and AD and Aiden probably will be assisting with regards to the zoning bylaw work as well. So and and to your point our fees are way way low. Yeah. So that seeing that comment based
on some of that and learning about what other towns are charging, taking a look at that and you know working with the board to establish fees that I think are more appropriate. Yeah, we need to get to to get that to be more self-sufficient. We're charging
what we need to charge. Can you have the data on all the kind of neighboring towns and the most part? Um yeah I mean the thing is you know even like your next door neighbor and ultra talent softly they have um they have
planning staff so you know there is um a little efficiency built into that process but um they still charge you know a good amount a lot more than Grammy does. Um, but yeah, I have a couple of like data
points from some of those surrounding towns. What would a couple of the fees be? Ken, like ANRS and special permits. ANR, special permit, site plan approvals. Um, sometimes
planning boards charge if they come in with an amended plan. Gotcha. whether or not that's something that the board wants to do, but um definitely special permits uh and probably a little more heft to
it. Um in addition to um yes, site plans, ANRS, subdivision, kind of your typical planning board um applications. Do they look like general fees or are they let's
say a massive project wanting to come to granular but consumed the planning board? Um so for instance the site plan approval I think starts at 250 and then 10 cent
per per square foot. Um I got and so you know that doesn't amount to a lot where you will I mean and the thing is you likely will hire a third party if that's something that you want to do that will be at the cost of the
applicant already. So that'd be on top of what the fee is but I think yeah there we were also I think discovering that the initial fee wasn't even covering the public hearing notices and the requirements for the because those prices are going up as
well. So this is uh a time where other planning boards and communities are raising their fees because of the increase in prices and the application process. I think that's fair. So, we'll bring, you know, bring that forward over time,
but, you know, I figured that we can share with you a draft. Um, and, you know, we can, as we're going through the zoning work, also take a look at your rules and reg. Sounds good. Yep.
Does anybody else have anything? One more thing, Mr. Chair. So before um the next meeting I will also share with you I I would like the board in their decisions to have findings.
So, um, for instance, a site plan or a special permit has special criteria that you're going to say, oh, this does not impact XYZ or, you know, your bylaw states that this shall not impact the
internal pedestrian, you know, uh, kind of um, flow or whatever. So your statements when it's time to render your decision should say this project will not do this based on the criteria just to have a
more formal decision where it includes the criteria um given that often times it's those findings you know if it becomes a messy decision or it becomes very contentious where we
need to ensure that we are backing up the decisions based on the criteria. So, uh, in my previous planning board experience in another town, what was really nice is that when someone came
with an application, um, there was also there was a recommendation on behalf of the planning staff. So, that was really helpful. So when we were reviewing whether it was a site plan review, whether it was an ANR,
whether it was um what whatever whatever it was that was coming in front of us, we had our planning staff's recommendation. Okay. So this way we knew what the recommendation was and especially if
there was extra wording that needed to go in to make if it was a delicate project or became contentious. Um this way we knew exactly. Okay. So, this was, you know, Ken's recommendation. Um,
so we can either as a board decide to take your recommendation or make amendments further, but I think that was really helpful um on that planning board to know what our planning staff's recommendation was per project.
Um, especially if it's a larger project. Sure. to to Ken's point, that's usually when the findings are most relevant on the larger projects. So So basically what he's what he's saying is when we when we when we make a decision, we
should also include the findings that why it's being allowed, how it fits into the community. Right. Right. So in those those are specials. Yep. Yep. It's an allowed use. Um it it's working
within um the hours of normal operation. Yeah. And we detail some of that out, right? Not just it's basically that plus the conditions that may be placed on that particular project. So So I think what I will do for the
next meeting um you have two items. One is a site plan approval and then one is a special permit. There are findings you need to have for both. So I will share I'll give the board a checklist basically that tells you what it is you need to find in order to provide that
decision. It was very helpful um especially when you know that board in particular it was in a larger city so we'd have sometimes 17 items in a in an evening. Um but it
was very helpful especially if you wanted to you know have the findings and um you had it right in front of you when you were making that motion. Um obviously sometimes we came to our own conclusion and didn't go with planning recommendation but it was nice to have
it right in front of you. Agree. So yeah, I mean if anything I will provide comments to those findings, but I typically do not provide recommendations. I mean it could be
something that we try um just because at the end of the day it's the board. Um but as a as a professional I can go through a plan and tell you what's missing, what you need to address, what you need to consider. Um, and so those I think at
the very end of the day that's probably a more helpful because I want to ensure that you know as a planning board building your capacity to do this work right without a professional planner that's on you. So, you know, I think at the very least it it will allow us um me to help
you like go through a process to identify, you know, the various things that um you know would probably be identified in a review process. Yeah. And I know that you're really helpful when we have questions. We always refer to you anyway. But when we
have it right in front of us or when we have it emailed prior to, it was nice that you know um we were able to review the whole packet and just make sure that we knew ahead of time.
Sure. Anything else? Anybody have anything else? Good. Okay, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. Make a motion to adjourn the planning board meeting July 28th at 6:32. Second.
I'll second motion and the employment board meeting. Any further discussion? All in favor? I carries.