Good evening. We're going to open tonight's planning board meeting. Today is Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 at 7 p.m. We are meeting here in person south of town hall as well as the link for Zoom meeting
participation 7 o'clock town planner report. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Um just a few brief items to share the planning board. Um hope everybody enjoyed the full vacation. uh week a few days out. But uh action
items, I did speak with uh engineer Derek Hail um who some of you might recall was the consultant retained for 159 Bergkshire Avenue uh the storm water permit at that property. They're gearing
up um uh for work. He's looking to coordinate a few items and has been speaking with um uh Mark's Property Services as the prospective contractor to execute the work. Um I I spoke with him as recent um as
today where uh he was just feeling out procedure for what I'll describe as minor plan changes um that are being contemplated um now that there's a voice uh from the implementation if you will side of the equation the contractor side
um and although he remains engineer of record we want to make sure that any field changes are documented uh and brought to us on on the plans of record. Um so presuming that uh he advances changes uh and believes they're minor
and Randy agrees with it, we would um be presented with those changes and see if that's u the planning board's opinion as well. Um so that's 15 Bure Avenue. Um I wanted to reflect back
upon I found uh a topic that I shared with the planning board a few weeks back. You might remember Victor uh Usaki inquired about an ADU at an
existing zero line setback uh garage converting that and it's a circumstance that is feasible, right? And he's just trying to feel, okay, how do I push this forward? Um I have to
admit that graph is powering. Um that from very qualified people I hear conflicting information. Um what I presented to the board was h you know what
uh there was a initially there was thought to be a variance element in there. Um, but not only did I get the raised eyebrow from your esteemed chair, um, it sits and it simmers a little while longer and I am
of the opinion what it's what I'm trying what this really boils down to is that I think you all should be prepared that when a petition comes uh forward in that particular circumstance uh to work uh closely with your town
council. Um, so I'm not of the opinion that what it truly requires is the special permit um for pre-existing non-conforming um structure by virtue of its um
diminished setback dimensions out there. Uh while batting was back and forth with attorney Beglade, uh we discussed how it might be received and ultimately um he landed on the uh on the note that well, it's an accessory
structure. So long this it was legally constructed in that location at that time or it's legal today or what have you. Then the only matter to be considered is okay, I'm sorry I said before just the the structure itself, but it's the use, the change of the use. Uh you didn't give me the today's eye on
that. Fair play. Fair play. U so so you'd be looking at if you will um we'll call it monumenting finding for legality of its um location out there and the special permit consideration um for that change of use. Um so kind of a
uniqueish circumstance perhaps less unique in those uh lake communities, lakeside communities, but I wanted to at least share that. And out the other side of my mouth, I'll say that um in other communities uh steam
professionals heavily leaned on uh we call the variance avenue. So I think um it'll have to be considered upon the merits that are brought in. The other people suggested variance was the way to go
in a very in a very similar circumstance to what Victor presented the planning board. But our our town council is Howard Town Council says of an opposing. That's right. Okay. Yay. Anyway, so uh so be prepared.
That's my intent for all that. Um, and lastly, I'll share that I uh was able to participate in an interview um for a town planner, the gentleman uh that I spoke with alongside Diane Gail, Nicole
Parker, and uh Naen from HR. Uh his name is Alvin Allen. Uh he comes to us from the city of Springfield where he worked as a principal planner um under Phili um with what I found to be extensive experience.
It's my understanding that last night the select board uh moved to uh hire Mr. Arnold. So hopefully in the coming weeks um this will all come to fruition. Um and I think uh the planning board will be in good hands. Um, on top of that,
uh, I'll just say, well, I could say many things for the record here, uh, including my delight at sitting chair. Um, but I'll be working alongside Mr. Allen to make sure that we transition ongoing and incoming matters smoothly. And that's all I have to say
about that. Thank you very much, Mr. Planner. Uh, are there any public comments? Hearing and seeing none, We are almost causing very very close and now we are.
No, I love that. And now we are all right. So we will open the continued public hearing for shape of the answeration. Madam Chair, uh we have a standing continuence request. Um looking to
frankly get past the annual town meeting and swearing with members. Um, so the applicant requested continuence. In this case, I will just bump it to May 6th. Yes. All right. So, do I hear motion to
continue hearing May 6th at 7:10 p.m. Dave Spina? So, move on. Second. We'll call vote to vote. I Dave Sp. I Diane Jes. I call
Jessica. Okay. I got 7:11 p.m. Continue to public hearing for proposed accessory dwelling unit by a large one or a small there. a moment to pull it up on the
screen. Um, bear with me. While that's taking place, if I can start with a quick explanation of the document before us, Madam Chair. Yes, please. All right, then. I'll do
So, um, all right. Let me just turn on the markup. It auto saved on me. Let's see. Make sure I still Okay, I do. All right. Uh, following hot on the heels of our
last meeting. I think you could share the stop. That's my first time. Never mind. Okay. All right. As our last planning board meeting, we had an opportunity to review uh attorney Zabling's um
responses to the attorney general's um review of comments were so generously provided. Uh there were a few hanging items uh that we noted while walking through this bylaw. Um the first was the local ADU
definition. Um as that related to uh suggest a prior suggestion from the town council for uh finding through section chapter 4A section 6 um that I did not feel was appropriate
application. So that's we call it you know piece number one. Piece number two was taking then uh a more uh finer textured look at our local ADU component just to make sure
that uh I took any hang-ups that anybody uh either your town council or I had about the term itself and just thought about it as it has been constructed here to align with uh the state's model language for Southwick. It's simply uh this special
permit through the planning board opportunity for a second ADU. So making sure that those special permit uh powers and considerations were monumented in here that being fundamentally separate from the protected use ADUs. Uh I think
those were the big third pieces, but let's walk through real quick u make sure that that board members are comfortable with the changes as proposed. Uh so Madam Chair, if you're okay, I'll just go to those red line sections. Okay. Well, first uh let's look at that local AU definition. Uh you see in the
straight through uh text the prior 4DA section 6 finding um information that we've now uh removed. We make specific reference to the fact that this is a local chapter 185 section 9 and 10
um uh consideration for a local ADU. U here in South Lake. Anybody have any questions, concerns, bothers with that change? Okay, let's do it. Allow me. I will
simply live on walk through our accepted changes. This document can be done. Okay, that brings us then I believe let's see which files up. I did leave the attorney general's comments in
here in case we needed to reference um her thoughts. Once again, I don't believe uh that we do in this particular section. I can appreciate the attorney general not being fully familiar with our um bylaw by nature and and how it's written. She wanted to make sure that a
sight plan review process didn't conflict with you very narrow scope prescribed by state law of a byite a new review. Um so attorney Baglane uh
although this is we'll talk about site plan review here under site plan review make reference to plan requirements cited elsewhere um in our bylaws. Uh a good example is if you have an ADU and R40 zone uh has to go through site pen
review. Those plan requirements are the same I think as the business or business excuse me business restricted um zone. Uh so there's something that I'm going to say just reinforces the idea that the site plan
review for protected use ADU is really supposed to have that narrow view review scope as well as a narrow scope of what needs to be submitted. Um, attorney Bane asked that we add to the end of the section, additionally upon request, the
petitioner, the planning board shall have the ability to wave any requirements of 18510A or B which are not related to the findings one above. 18510 A and B uh includes I'm going to call our traditional plan requirements. the
context information that's on that I think most of that would not be the subject of a wave request uh but feed does include uh let's say traffic impact studies and some finer texture elements that may not always be uh applicable and
for sure a protected use a um shouldn't be the subject of traffic study so anyways to the extent that any of that may be drawn in into the conversation we ask that that be added yeah so this is really just clarifying
saying doubly that while we are referencing what we currently have in our bylaws under site plan review, do we understand that we will not touch certain parameters and are leaving this right to label some of those
requirements if they do not um relate to the four areas that we are allowed to review under law. is we willing to wave those. Are we required to wave them? We would be
required by our due diligence to follow state law by not asking for something and waving that requirement. So like a traffic study, right? We if we were to not wave that, we would run a follow, right? And that's
what I'm getting at. So it's this is implies that it's optional if the applicant were to request a waiver to be fair. It's confusing. I I think it would be a real stretch. Well, let me put it this way. I
personally have fallen victim uh to very carefully interpreting a different community zone and putting in an application after meeting with numerous individuals and saying get a month delay uh because turn somebody else had a different interpretation. So
what I'm trying to say is that someone uh perhaps a consultant um perhaps a future planning board member might be able to get back into 18510 through site plan review. I think that's a real some opportunity, but attorney big wanted here as the quote problem, the escape
hatch so that no one's trapped into uh a requirement for something that's beyond what state law dictates to itself. Okay. I get the escape hatching part of it. Yeah,
I like the debate. Yeah, I like the debate. It doesn't have to be so clunky, but our legal representation is saying better clunky and safe than have the attorney instead of as opposed to having the
attorney general review because the comments we received back were a courtesy review, not necessarily from the at the attorney general's office. So, in attorney by Glenn's mind, if we were to send this off without this additional piece here, and the attorney general went and looked at our site plan
review sections and said, "Oh, hey, you can't ask a a buyer rate ADU for a traffic study." And this would get rejected. Is that his language that that's in here? Okay. Yeah, I I get the addition. I'm almost
thinking I'm not so sure it goes as far as it needs to. But if the attorney thinks it's code enough then but because it sounds like I mean if they ask us to wave, right? We could we could say we need to
do a traffic study and they could say oh we would like to wave that. We'd like to but they don't say wave that but yeah I'm pulling them into something we can't hold them to. you would the hope is that any applicant or future planning board
member will read section A and say these are the areas that I'm allowed to request changes or modifications for unless I'm really being a jerk and going and looking at 185 10B and find trying to find that thing that I can needle
this applicant with so that their ADU won't get through a a good land use attorney or consultant will come back and say, um, no, you can't do that. According to your own bylaw, you can't do that. So, I unless we were to sit here and delve into
18510b and literally pull out each one here that say we are preemptively waving in advance all of the need to do that. No, I'm fine with it. Like I said, if if the attorney is good enough with it, I mean, I understand the intent. Yeah, if the
attorney's good with it, then I am too. Yeah, I don't there's no question of the intent behind it. It's just like, yeah, this is the most an eloquent way of saying things. I mean, how into that we are here. Um, but I would I would think that the board is in agreement that we
can make that addition. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. You may find some uh I think they're purple highlights. those ones working on the previous screen, but let's go through here. Um, so, uh, when I'm talking about
the let me go get back to my chatting here. We're still under the protected use, uh, ADUs. Um, one of the topics that Attorney Big uh, and I touched upon was as we were moving out that um, 4DA 6 finding uh, he wanted to build
in um, that opportunity for protected use ADUs. So, where we have a pre-existing non-conforming um ad want to make sure that we do make that funding that the uh proposed
improvements are not detrimental to the community or substantial uh in violation of of the zoning by I thought the comment here was saying that we shouldn't be doing this because they are allowed without us needing to
make that ling there for a second here. Wasn't reading this comment. No, go for it. Let's let's bring that up. A little side note is that because their protected use are
by right in any district whether it is there by right or by special permit. We don't have the opportunity under site plan review, which is all a protected use ADU is allowed to be subjected to.
We don't make that. Let's um let's put this one on ice for just a moment. Okay. Uh because I do I think that gets touched upon on again uh just a little bit further down and maybe that's going to give a little context
um to the Chinese suggested language there. Is that okay? Yeah. All right, let's just jump into the I think this part's going to be a little easier to digest. Special permit for local ADUs. Um, so I'll just read it out. The planning board may grant special permanent authorizing the installation
of a second ADU classified as a local ADU on a qualifying property according to the following circumstances and if the criteria set forth in chapter 185 section 9, the zoning bylaw of town South Lake, Massachusetts, and the following conditions are met. Um so if
you will pardon a little bit of the revisation of language in there but uh bringing in that chapter 185 section that local circumstance or a local um so we talked about um that they may
be allowed by special permit with site plan any location where a protected use ADU may be permitted. um local ADUs, special permit, that second one shall conform to the same standards as protected use ADUs. You
want to take out the off parking requirements because as we'll see later, if we want something a little more robust, at least to give the planning board flexibility. Um only one local ADU may be allowed in a lot. At least one off- streetet parking space must be provided for a local ADU. In its
determination of off- streetet parking adequacy for the use planning board may require the provision of additional off- street parking spaces beyond the minimum one parking space which shall be based on the number of bedrooms in the local ADU and may be as many as one parking
space per bed. So again, crafted to give the planning board flexibility. If there's a circumstance um where this uh local ADU um perhaps functions really as its own separate site, then you need to have a
configuration for I want to call it the uh the accuchments, the accessories that come with home ownership. Sure. What's up? So they're saying one car I mean one park per bedroom on an ADU does not affect the existing
property let's say I have a house and I got six cars in my driveway you know so there the distinction made here is just for that special permit um locally needed right um there is I can appreciate I'm going
to call it a larger context of an application that we aren't addressing here and that's what happening by right um at the site where this is all being proposed because everything still has to function in
some fashion. Um so this is saying well per ADU your buy right one and your local special permit um ADU your second one you need to have at least one parking space and the planning board has the ability to require more parking for
that special permit circumstance. But only with ADU, it definitely can't affect the existing structure. Nope. I don't think the planning board has any say over what's taking place there. And it's hard to distinguish as we're envisioning it now, not knowing where that ADU might be suggested. It may be
all as one. If we're talking about, you know, a basement that's fully moved as an ADU and made legal, but then you are tapping into the section structure though. I'm sorry about that. But then you will be, you know, buying into the existing structures. Let's say if you have a home
and you have three parking choices and you bring this other unit in, but you only finish off the basement, you haven't enlarged the house. So why do you have to add another parking space? Well, I would I would argue because you've added a new living quarters. Yeah. Yeah. The mall live with you
anyways, you know, type of thing. Yeah. And you're saying she doesn't drive, but we're saying you need to have at least one space designated for that. just for that one for an ADU just but only for the ADU can't affect the existing home and existing non-b I'm not we're not
going to sit there and say okay well you already have a fourbedroom house and you have five parking spaces well you need to add a six we I think most planning boards in whatever composition will accept we have we have already four parking spaces we only have three cars
as it is and we're going to set aside this I think that's reasonable, right? Okay. Okay. Um, so that's parking right there. Uh, for this local ADU, uh, Felane then expanded on his thoughts and said, "All
right, let's give the flaming board some more flexibility to uh, you know, implement safeguards to the uh, to the butters to the surrounding community." Uh, the site shall be designed to include adequate buffering or screening to mitigate unsightly visual impacts to adjacent properties.
uh as determined by the health agent, the site and local ADU are to be served with adequate water and sanitary sewage services. Speaking of things that I think are probably uh help and suspender approach, that's probably one of them right there, right? Um the site shall be designed to provide access for emergency
vehicle services. Um so key fortunate point right there. Regardless of how they configure um a home uh by ADU and the local ADU, they all have to frankly function harmoniously with emergency services. Should I pause there?
John, excuse me. Um again provide access vehicles. What happens if it's an older home and they don't provide currently for additional, you know, for the customers not homeowners got to reconigure his driveway or whatever to make it work. I
think so. If you ask me, I think the privilege of being able to, you know, rent out or bring in, you know, family, whatever you want to call the term, right, into a separate living unit, uh means, hey, you got to take a closer look at how you now your site um
functions as a facility that uh is mandated here. you'd have if someone were proposing no other changes if you will to their five uh you know spot um you know parking area that used to serve their home um and granted
we're now leaping into the second ADU for this particular uh discussion right here but a portion of it applies to the the buyer rating as well in that uh you know emergency services have to be able to function harmonious what's the provisionist the proposal is
who determines the adequate buffer They so they would have to show us exactly what they were proposing. Come on. Did you have a plot plan moving for? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. And because we give the offer of you know establish an
opinion like again you know like the detrimentals. I'm assuming there's a lot of nonform. It'll be fun. Don't worry. I'll call you up. Come on. Don't call me Ireland. Right. I have a bunch of
criteria for the law. There are four criteria for the protected. I believe that the third and the fourth sewer and health and stuff and the parking is basically explicitly stated for the locally to use. The first two aren't.
And the question is should and those are the minimizes grade changes tree vegetation yada yada yada and the architectural style. Yeah, I don't have an argument against that.
July We're going to change some terminology here. And I know everybody loves to watch me reformat, but watch you reformat. I'm sure actually reformatting. Yeah. Where did time go? Nor is I
digging and so beautiful. Well, I told Norman we'd only spend five minutes on this, so we got to use plenty more time. So, that's right. I appreciate all the work you put into it. This was a lot of work. Only phone calls
really sounds funny, but for what it's worth, um, and I don't want to run away with this, it does sound like Mr. had a good point and it doesn't hurt to as attorney Beglin has
done elsewhere and you're going to see more of it in a moment um to go in and let's restate those conditions that were really I like specific I mean and if if his rationale holds for those items they should hold here as
well. I like it. [Music] the screen. We want to I think so that brings us to a GH5 pod. Now we've got to the the buffering um the water and sanitary sewer
services which includes septic in that definition. um and work to vehicles that we talked about. So, let's approve the insertions that were given to us and we've highlighted the two that we just added
so that Mr. Big will have a quicker review of this document. Hopefully, you're being very generous. Um I don't think that's I'll leave it there. attorneys defer times every
it'll be nice. Yeah, I do respect the fact that it is customary for us to finalize uh with you know condition that town council can tweak as they see fit. Okay. I will keep our All right. So that
brings us the exception of mine. We've got two auditions highlighted here. Ignore formatting. Just drive me crazy. I believe it's now all showing up as red. I thought that um under non-conformance we made some of these
changes at our last meeting. The chapter 48 section 6 binding uh shall be made by the special permit granting authority in an as of right process including sane review without requiring another special permit or discretionary waiver I'll go back
columin it's been several weeks that Mr. is not looking at that as it does familiar more. I thought it was you just that might be actually but okay I'm sorry we can read that entire section this is where
these resol use. Yeah. Which I get. But then I go back to that comment that she made that it's an as of right like we basically said the same thing up here. That's what he says.
The only distinction I will make is that I think our language has changed a little bit from when that um when those comments came in. So if you're okay with it, I want to bring up that document that came straight to Okay. Sure.
the AD's office. Let's find that comment. Reading the criticism of the right thing. So bear with me. Excuse me for one second. I want let's go back to our comment in this section. Um, so although the language appears to
have floated around a little bit, I think the comment before was specific to what we are now as of today familiar with as a special the local special circumstance or a local ADU. Okay. Is that what you saw in this document as
well? I Okay. I think that's under the local AD. Yep. So the comment just happened to I perhaps copied and pasted. Yes. Okay. So that's my gift to you. So thanks.
Your interpretation of the guidance from the state is that in these by right protected use ADUs, we still have the opportunity to
not find that it's appropriate under and that just is that the case is that seems like a very big door that the state would have left open for local
boards to outright deny any ADU that they found was inappropriately changing the neighborhood. If you if you'll allow me just a little bit of uh flexibility here. I want to bring up that models on I want to because I
think we're going to find that language reflected there as well. Okay, just find it there. That's fine. I I did go to the bottom if you will the non-conformance section of what was submitted to Durley. She didn't comment there, but let's just
see what's found here. They're looking this is not the stare at each other. I know. Please. Oh, we're all Let's all [Music] stereformance finding under master law chapter 40 section 6 that the extension
or alteration of the pre-existing non-conforming structure is not substantially more detrimental than the existing non-conforming use to the neighborhood shall be made by the special grant authority and as a break process without requiring special permit for other discretionary waiver
directly. Let's see. Is that what we're looking for? I just if now when I'm hearing it right now in this manner when it's when we're talking about them in this way, I just
it I carried over a different viewpoint, I think, from these prior comments. So, it's interesting that they did that, but because we are talking about pre-existing non-conforming sites, I can appreciate
it. Just wanted to make sure we weren't over setting that I think. So, it does seem odd that there would be there been an option to not u if you'll issue that particular finding. Um,
but in some ways maybe they're not telling us it is an option. Maybe saying, "Oh, not only are you going to be doing that by our use, but you're also going to make a finding." Says the planning board shall um make a fine as I said. I don't know. It's interesting. a planning board, I'm sure, could get
themselves in hot water utilizing that escape hatch for themselves in order to circumvent the intent of the accessory dwelling unit portion of the state law. But we shall
see what happens in the future. I'm in a non-conforming situation, okay? You know, I mean, it's not everything, just those performing ones, you know, which God does. Okay. Time will tell. Time will tell. I think it will be interesting. Yes. All right. So, this is
specifically for there. I think we're good at that. So, that I'm going to reflect back to that section that we kind of left behind for local use. I think we've resolved uh that. And if you will again, more bleed
suspenders uh language here. I think that's reflected elsewhere um for the protected use ADU in our not performing in our not performance section but nonetheless here it is. Um all
right madam chair if you're okay I will accept those uh you can see what attorney be lane's um language you were mentioning earlier added here performance structures or nonforming uses residential excuse
me and to be fairing bangling that the state's not zoning them perfect platform as well. The hell you said we we will see more changes for sure. Well, so then other than the changes
that we made there under special permit for local ADUs by adding the additional requirements, every other change dragged out we approved and this document is now clean. Other than that,
does anybody have any questions, comments, concerns about the document? If there is no further appetite for discussion on this matter, I would hear a motion to close the public hearing on close accessory line unit dialogue.
Dina is so moved. Take a second. I'll vote just before and I I in mind do I also hear a motion to submit the bylaw as written pending attorney review to annual town meeting for
vote second. We'll call a vote. Just for and I Diane just I great. I will touch base with you over the next week and a half or so to make sure that
we have attorney blames a okay and to perhaps help me prepare for my presentation. I'm sure there'll be a boot at town meeting um so that I make sure I don't forget any of the more finer points that the public will be
dying. Yes. As as elected officials, soon to be elected officials um and at least one professional over here. It took us a lot of work to bend our minds around what's going on. Uh and for sure through that meeting. Just call me
Lucy. All right. Hey Lucy. Let's see. Give me one second to say this document away and if you move on, you may march with the agenda if you'd like. All right. Next on the agenda, we have a new public hearing for 662A College Highway
proposed self storage notice. I do. Let's see. The notice is hereby given in accordance with the provision of mass general law chapter 48 section 11 and the town of Southwick bylaw that the planning board will hold a hybrid public hearing on April 29th, 2025 at 7:20 p.m.
via Zoom and at the South Town Hall at 454 College Highway South on an application by Premier Self Storage for a special permit site plan approval and storm water management permit for property located at 662A College Highway zoned industrial restricted. Property is
shown on assessor's map 65 parcel 26. The applicant proposes to construct a self- storage facility with associated site improvements in accordance with the code of sopic zoning bylaws chapter 183 and chapter 185 sections 910 19 and 30.
Zoom information is listed. A copy of the application may be inspected by contacting John Goddard and Furtown Planner at his phone or email. Any person interested or wishing to be heard on the matter should appear at the time and manner designated by Jessica Thornton,
chairperson. Madam chair, um thank you for reading uh the public hearing notice and opening public hearing. Owing to uh the ground moving a little bit beneath our feet um and in anticipation of a little bit change in the
composition of the planning board. Um I did advise the applicant to request a continuence of this public hearing to May 27th. Do I hear a motion to continue this
hearing to May 27th at 700 p.m. Dis take a second. Roll call vote. Jessica Thor and I. Dis I. Dian I. Sorry. I'm sorry. What time was it? 7:40.
I'm sorry. The continued time. Oh, I'm sorry. 7:10 p.m. Thank you. [Music] that we have any thank you very much. All right, discussion time master plan implementation maybe presentation from
Mr. Norm Chie, he's been waiting very patiently. Warm Chver 100 Berkshire Avenue, chairman of the master plan implementation committee. Do you have that presentation? If not, I have a stick
here if you want to. We'll get it going. Right. Okay. Thank you for being filmed there. Yes. Wherever you when I was in front of the complaining for I could have used the wing there. Apparently the rest of the world has moved on
from drums. Let's go full screen. While the rest of the community is working on prioritization lead and support activities, we've been working on getting some structure into our
process. Our measurement package is just about done. I expect we'll have it approved at our next meeting. You'll see that one shortly. And this one was for any changes that are recommended for the master plan. And that's what this
discussion is about. And we'll we'll talk about transferring a lead item. We'll talk about cancelling the lead item. talk about changing significantly or
minor a lead item, action item, how to add a new lead item, and we have we have four or five that we're going to be presenting shortly uh from our review of the master plan. How do how are we going to handle
unfunded uh master plan action items that all the work was done, but it's unfunded? um how to handle a challenge on the validity of an action item, whether it's legal or not. We got a process in place
that we'd like you to comment on. And then we also had a request to remove a support action item from from an organization. So we got a process in place for that. And then the last slide
will talk a little bit about revision control to the master plan. The first item is um process to transfer a lead item from one organization to another. So organization A looks at it and they says
we don't really believe it's us. It should go to organization B. Okay. So we're saying we'd like organization A to put a short paragraph together justifying why they like to make the change and pick will make an analysis of
it may ask for more information and should the receiving party agree then the transfer will happen no problem but that changes action items priorities. So because
the prioritization is been so painful for everybody, we're not going to ask you to rep prioritize if we transfer one. We will automatically put it to the bottom of the priority list. It It's more painful than any of
us envisioned, believe me. And you've gone through it. So we we were all set, right? at only we are okay. No, we're not going Oh, that's right. If you want at the
end, we can do a quick review of that. Okay. Sorry. That's all right. Said mine last week. We'll get to that shortly. So, uh, you know, I've already presented this to the select board and then we're going to do
it to you and they gave the impression that we didn't need to go back to the two organizations, the planning board and select board for these approvals. Uh, but uh, in some instances, I think our committee would still like to do it, but we'd be interested in we're done
what your comments are. Okay. Uh okay so much for the transfer. Now the big one the process of cancelling a master schedule item lead items. Okay again the lead organization that wants to cancel it have to prepare a short document present it to Empic. Emp
will analyze it may ask for more information formulate a recommendation and present it to the select board and the planning board. And we're saying that both select and planning board must agree to cancel an item.
Okay. And Empic will then assuming it's it's canled, we will alter the measurement package to accommodate the cancellation. I expect we'll see some changes or
recommendations making significant minor and significant changes to a master plan due to timing due to changes in laws and regulations and and maybe public input. And again, we we'll need a a
document from the lead organization on why they would like to make this change. Emp again will review it. If it's if they believe it's a minor change, they will make a decision. If it's a significant change, then they
want to pass it back to the subcommittee board and select board. Okay? And if it's changed, there'll be no there'll be no reason to change the measurement package. Okay. Process to add a new item. And we
have about five so far we've identified from our review of the ML. And so we've we've already had the opportunity to use several of these in our meetings again.
uh uh someone has to put submit in writing a statement of of of what what the new item is, why it should be in there. Again, EMP will make an agreement, make a decision on whether they agree with the process or not, and
forward it either way to the planning board and select board for their approval to add the items. Again, if it's approved, any new action items will go to the bottom of the priority list. Okay. The process for handling
unfunded programs. So, other words, the team has done the work. 80% of the work is done and they can't they can't find a grant. They can't get it funded in the in the town budget. And so we're saying that they'll the for the measurement
package they'll get to claim the 80% right off the bat. Okay? But they're going to keep it on their list for five years trying to find funding. Okay? If the end of five years comes, that list will go
to the select board and planning board for their recommendation of removal or continuing on the list. Okay. And if the decision is to remove it, they don't lose the 80% effort that they spent, but don't but they won't get the
20%. Okay, so that's the unfunded the validity legality issue. We did have one one support group that said that they believe it was one item they believe was improper.
So what we decided to do with that one is again they'll put together a document, send it to Empic on why they feel it's invalid. But we're putting in here and I'll read this personal or philosophical challenges cannot be
considered to outweigh the community desires outlined in the master plan. So they got to be legitimate. Okay. And what we'll do with this one, this will go to the to the chief administrative officer to determine whether it's legal or not legal. And
depending upon her her response, whether she uses town council or it's up to us, but we'll we'll use her decision as we move forward whether whether it's
um going to stay in or go out. Okay. Okay. Process to remove a inappropriately assigned support action item. Um, I'm sure
that Mr. Advisory Plan Committee didn't make 100% accurate on who all the board team should be. But if some somebody believes it's we we have nothing to do with this particular product, we'd like to have it removed
from our list. Again, we need a short support document and um Empic will evaluate the aggressive rule of decision. We'll not bring this one back to planning board or to the slot board.
And then what we're going to do is for revision control and this really comes from a manufacturing background but uh we want to keep track of every change that comes to the to the
uh master plan. you know whether it's will include the date of the revision what the original action item and m and master plan chapters were description of the change additions deletions reassignments modifications
and a revision letter will be assigned. Okay. record of the of the party uh revision and method of authorization uh will be needed by uh MPEC in order to
make this happen. That would be a vote from the committee that decided they wanted to make this change and the revision log will be online right next to the master plan the unpic page or the planning board page or both next to this doesn't
matter. So that's basically the processes of change that we'd like to incorporate going forward. We're very interested in your comments. We're also interested in whether you believe you should have the right to approve or disapprove those
items I mentioned. I think I can tell you my vote on the committee is going to be it's going to stay uh the way it is and it will go to the billies for public information back to the planning board and to the select board and whether you
whether you decide to you need to vote on it that's up to you. So, you're potentially asking for us to vote on these procedures or what what what the select board did. They felt that they did not need to vote on this.
They trusted our judgment and uh they did not take any vote but said, "Well done. We'll see." Yeah. Anyway, they passed the I agree with that. They passed a bucket. But I agree that you put a lot of
thought and a lot of work into that. agree with you. It's already been helpful and yeah. No, it's obvious that you put a lot of thought into it. So, yeah. Well, I'm sure there probably other things that have come up. We'll have to put a process in place. We'll swim together. It's a huge process. I
mean, it's a huge process. Years. Yep. And is that it's this is a great way to show not just that we created this master but we have all intents and purposes of
making it a functional document that is capable of adjusting with us as we we grow and work through it. So, I am always hands down to you for a lot of the work that and due diligence that you put into this, the fact that you've
taken the time to identify all the different types of changes and alterations and really given quality thought to what each of those circumstances really requires. Not every circumstance
needs everything. Um I agree that um a significant change, a cancellization or a full addition um and the unfunded after 5-year
removal. I can see why we want the planning board and select board approval to do that. I can also understand why the select board doesn't want to be bothered with um those sorts of
changes. But I think that when it comes time to evaluate and say what did we do with this master plan, we can really say that listen, it wasn't just five people who were responding to boards and commissions saying we don't want to do this and we don't want to do
that. like, "No, listen, we we evaluated each request as it came in and because we recognized that this is a significant change or a removal of something that the community and the impact put into this plan that everybody approved and and to this day it has all this stuff.
If we're going to make these significant changes to it, then perhaps there should be another level of review and okay and saying yes and pick you did the right thing. We're good with this." Mhm. Um I just ask that it not be a change
every meeting. Thank God. Br bring a couple at a time if you need to. Um but I would think that even still that a good portion of these um changes or modifications will happen early enough on in the process. Yeah.
But um and if they don't, we still will have proper procedures in place already outlined and ready to go. So good. I I'm okay with that. Everybody else. Yeah. And I'm grateful for your hard work. Thank you.
Okay. I Let's do the full blow. Do I hear a motion to accept the presented MPIC how to handle changes to the master plan uh procedures? Dave Spina moved. Take a
second. Roll call vote. Jessica Thornton. I D I D J I. So you have our full blessing and approve. Thank you very much. And reflected on the minutes. Okay. So what I did this afternoon going back to where does the planning board
stand on the prioritization? Give me a vote. Yeah. I'll give you an update. I'm glad I went back through it because uh uh I found one document that I had
forgotten. Uh when when you originally were asked to prioritize the lead items for top top 10 and bottom 10. Mhm. Uh Dick came in and he prioritized them
all. Got it. Okay. And I forgot that because I put it aside. I used that data to develop the top 10 and the bottom 10. Okay. But now that we're now that we're about to have the top 10, the bottom 10, and the
middle group, uh, I have difficulty figuring out how I take your priorities in add all your items going to be in the same top 10, right? So, I'm not sure I figure out how I do it. So, either I try to figure that out or I ask you to go
back and prioritize the the again we're talking lead only uh the top 10. Actually, it's top nine, the bottom 10, and the middle group. Well, the only right now I
suggest you do it on your end. Okay. I would I Yeah, both. as far as Matzinger's time to to utilize, but also the fact that he'll be um resigning from the board in a couple of weeks. Okay.
Um so I would suggest if you're waiting on that CL to just move forward with the three sets that you have and if you find like really could use another input, then you know maybe it would be a good task for a new planning board member to
familiarize themselves with the master plan by Yeah. Well, we did we did talk about that at our last meeting and uh our discussion led to the that we felt it would be the shortest way to the end
line was for this group to make the decisions. Otherwise, we might add a month or two to the prioritization process. But that's up to you guys. Yeah, I think if you can make sense of the numbers with the three sets that you
currently have, move forward with it. Um, and if not, let me know. And I Well, I don't have all of them yet. At least I don't think I have them all yet. Dave and I have a couple of issues that we need to couple of holes that are
small, but I but I but I think we can fix that. Okay. And from Diane, I have I have I don't have a top nine and a bottom. I sent them twice. What you sent me was the X's
that I sent. Oh, that Oh, okay. Okay. that I sent back out the top 10 and asked you to prioritize those one through nine. And I don't think I got that. Okay. Maybe if you could resend that second
list so that way she's make sure she's I'll send it out to you tomorrow morning. Got a paper copy. I'll be glad to hear it right there. The middle one I got. Now that's just the lead. I didn't focus on the support this morning today. I got
to go back and review that. I'm not sure what what I got and what I don't have. I know I have healers. Think I do. I I'll flee it. I don't think I ran the poor. Okay. So, I'll get that and I'll get that back out after I
do my review of what I need. Yeah. Yeah. And then that way we can make sure that we get that information back to you. Okay. But we're close. Close. Great. Wonderful. So, you can uh
I'll give them to him before I leave tonight. Okay. How's that sound? That sounds good. Okay. Because I don't want to hold you up. Anything else I can uh think about anything else we talked about. Okay. Oh, we did have we had a resignation.
A Scliffani's business has exploded in a good way. She's doubled her business from last year and she's gone crazy pulling her hair out and and has resigned. So, we'll be getting a replacement.
Did she have a title on the She's our secretary. She was the secretary. And is the select board aware? Yes. Of this. Yeah. Yep. Actually, I might have talked about it last night. I'm not sure.
They spent a lot of time talking about other stuff. I didn't stay all the way to the end. Okay. Hey, Norm. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Thanks. I'll do I'll give you the package and we'll talk about it
later. All right. Yeah. All right. Next on the agenda, we have noble steep crossing planning board review evaluation of special position and prospective security. May I uh suggest we take care of the signage at
7701 college first? Sure. I see this world ice in attendance. Hello. Can you hear me? Yes. Yes, indeed. Um hi. Hello. Um my name is Darcy Roy. I'm here on behalf of National Sign and Dollar General
general, uh, which is located on 771 College Highway, uh, which is in the BR zone. Um, I've been talking with John Goddard about our proposal. Um, and I read through the regulations and through the design guidelines. And so really what I'm here for tonight is to get your
feedback and guidance. Um, I'm I don't know if you have um, in front of you what we are proposing right now. Um but as it stands we are proposing one wall sign on the front entrance elevation facing College Highway. Um this sign is
2 foot high by 24 foot um 10 and 1316 in or 49.8 ft. Um it is yellow internally illuminated channel letter set on a raceway. There you go. It's at the top there. Um the raceway will be painted to match the building. In addition to the
internal illumination, the sign company is also proposing four gooseneck lamps above the internally illuminated sign. Um these lamps will provide um uh external illumination in addition to the internal illumination. Um they're also proposing one pylon sign with an
internally illuminated cabinet that's uh 5t high by 10t wide, 50 square ft. Obviously um the entire face of the sign will illuminate. Uh the background color is yellow as you can see and the lettering is black. The overall height is proposed at 20 ft and it will be set
back 15 feet from the property line on College Highway. Um as I said, I read through the regulations and I reviewed the tables and I think we're allowed one freestanding s sign at 50 square foot per side. Um which is not to exceed 18t overall height. As I as you can see,
we're we're proposing 20 feet overall height and we will have that reduced. Um, but I I think the size might be okay. Um, and it also looks like we're allowed one wall sign that can be 75 square feet or 10% of the front-facing facade, whichever is less. Um, the
overall height of the building is 30'2 in and the width of the wall on College Highway is 140 ft. That gives us an area of 4,223 ft. 10% of that is 422 ft. So, we are restricted to the 75 ft sign. bar
sign is 25 square foot less than that. So, I believe we're okay there. Um the wall sign cannot exceed 20 foot overall over overall height from the ground and I I don't have that information right now, but um it looks like to the top of the main roof line is 21 ft 11 in. So,
it looks like we're pretty close to that. Um the projection of the sign is 12 in, which meets your code. Um as I said, I also read through the design guidelines. Um, and that's when I decided that I better come before you for some guidance. Um, it looks to me in reading them that the pylon sign we are
proposing would be discouraged by um by you. Um, that you would rather see a freestanding sign that is constructed of natural materials with an enhanced base design. The guidelines also called for um traditional motive motifs and a compact size. And I I need some
direction on that. Um, and finally, according to the design guidelines, it looks to me that we aren't allowed any internal illumin illumination of either sign. I'm not sure if that's correct. Um, and I just hope that you can help me out so that I can come back before you again with a package that um, you would
like. Thank you for that thorough explanation, Darcy. Um, Mr. off the top. The measurements I think all sounded correct. I uh I think that we can get there. They measured the if
you pylon sign in a couple different questions than I would and our bylaw is super careful to talk about I'm going to call the enclosing structure and yet excluding the structure and whatever else. So the bottom line is I think dimensionally I'm I'm fine with the
proposal. Um and to the point that uh Miss Roy expressed um when it comes to the approval criteria uh for science our our bylaw does reference uh the town's um design guideline handbook and that's
where it makes reference to the encouraged and discouraged uh design elements. Um, so there's both I see uh a need for some change, a room for and room for I'm
going to say uh accommodation uh as as needed. I think it's fair to say that I'm sorry, excluding dimension, right? We talked about that 20 foot versus 18 foot. So with that one exception right there, that was the only dimensional
concern I had on this. um illumination. Yeah. So, let's start with the illumination right there. Uh Miss Royy's correct that the encouraged uh illumination and the sign, excuse me, the design guidelines is from an external source. I believe it was
uh suggested to be from the ground if you will shine up towards a um the freestanding sign monument uh if you will. And then uh and then in a similar fashion for the building it talks about if you will
gooseeneck land um pardon my language miss this being your profession I'm probably and I should know it by heart but um perhaps also said you know some other lighting source but not internally uh lit along the base of the building. Um so between
that and ultimately I think Ms. Roy reflected in an email back to me about what that uh Ron Mountain sign um would be. Would it be acceptable for it to be I'm going to call it the Dollar General um logo as we saw similar to the as
we're here but permanently lit. Um that was a question that was out there. So room for some discussion and suggestion. [Music] I recall us talking about just
downwardfacing lighting. If it's illuminated, I would think that that kind of defeats the purpose of that downward-facing lighting. I could be wrong. I don't know. Um, I think the the big concern was how
bright it's going to be illuminated and um how much that's going to affect the people around it. So that would be my concern about the interior illumination for that lighting. Yeah. Yeah. Well, think along the same lines.
Yeah. Um, yeah. just so let's just for the wall sign itself you know you have the gooseeneck lights on there to light the sign we don't need the additional and I would think that the bright yellow in particular is
probably probably a little bit more garish to the eye than than others. So I would think when it comes to the wall signage um that's where I am there. not I don't have a problem with its size or the fact
that it is what it is. I just think the the lighting needs to change. Um and I think you're correct in your interpretation of our design guidelines. We're looking for natural materials, lowlying sign. Um there's
really no very other high signage along this stretch of road. It's not a It may be called College Highway. I don't know how familiar you are with the area, Miss Roy, but it's it's not really a highway. So, there's also no line of sight issues where I think you would need a very tall
sign in order to make people aware on the approach that this particular uh establishment is there and open. Um, so yeah, I think lowlying perhaps, you know, a little verm with some
plantings, rocks, lights facing up to light up the facing of the signs. Um, natural materials being part of the enc casement, whether that's um wood or stone or brick, not black
metal. And again, I think the the lap of the interior illumination will also help not you'll still be able to see the sign. You'll still be able to draw your customer base in, but without it being too much on the neighborhood
and it would I think it would not look appropriate where it is. Okay. Yeah. Okay. All right. Yeah, I agree. I think there's other signs along the road we can say. Well, I guidance.
Do you want to share those images, John? Sure. Yeah, I I pulled up, Miss Roy, just a couple of images of some cities that already exist along this corridor for us, as well as a couple of examples of a Dollar General signs from across
the country where there's, you know, similarly alterations to the, you know, basic corporate style to accommodate the location. Okay. Give me just a moment to get that opened up.
in all. We'll begin uh with this one. It shows this the landscaping opportunity. Okay. So that's in another town obviously, right? That's Yeah. So this is a sign
that is on our street right now. Okay. Okay. Another couple of examples of existing signage where even where it needed to be hired to accommodate more than one business, it's still very much a rural
look. natural materials landscaped. Yep. You know, perfect. I appreciate those pictures. Yeah. Is that something that um you can send to me, John?
Yeah, they have. I I would like to give those to the sign company so they know what you're looking for. Okay. All right. But I appreciate your help. We appreciate you coming and taking our feedback. Yes. And bringing it back to
the sign company for alterations. All right. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Why don't we go back to uh speed? That's okay. Be okay. Uh let's see. Does planning board review evaluation of
subdivision infrastructure security? Uh Mr. Smar uh has been kind to attend our planning board meetings on on generally regular basis uh because he understands that um measuring progress out there is
important to um keep him out of or away from a claim against the bond for the project. Even though that process would very much mimic what we're doing here. Of course, there's more tooth uh in that should we
fail to progress. Having said that much, uh I just met with him this afternoon alongside Jeff Smith, the wetland scientist he's retaining um who works at Salvini Associates. Um they stopped by
DPW provided us with an update um on a couple of points. Uh let's start with the 401 water quality certification. That's essentially the uh the D approval for work within what used to be
a well now is a stream bed uh to install the culbert and complete the street out there. Uh as I think I've alluded to in previous meetings, there's a very prescribed schedule. We'll call the minimum schedule, right? U you give it
to us says stamping then we've got 90 days or 60 days, whatever it happens to be, right? um and you marsh this process and it's not short. Um however, uh one of the prescribed elements on there also says, "Oh, you need to have this presubmittal meeting
within x number of days of your actual submittal information." So, as they are ready to submit information, they're oh no, we had that that meeting back in the fall. You need to have another one. Uh so, the the only good news is meeting with who? With D. Oh my goodness. All
right. So, the good news that comes out of this is that they're going to do it via Zoom, so they'll do it remotely. Um, uh, it's happening tomorrow. Jeff and, um, Jesse will, uh, attend to present their case. It is the same personnel
over in the, uh, water pollution prevention, if you will, department over at last evening Springfield office. Um, and they have been responsive. So there's a there's a flicker in the distance. Nobody wants to rely on the flicker, but there's always a chance
that this based on familiarity and the fact that it is the state's duty to review and if appropriate issue permits. This might go a little more smoother than we'll call it the the full schedule. But
nonetheless, so that that was the update uh today that they are having this meeting tomorrow so they can move forward with the submittal of their 401 water quality certification application. Now uh for site matters um I do pass through
Noble Steam a couple times a week. Um understand that there were some we call them weather delays and last week being school vacation week. I didn't expect to see much progress. uh the stormwater basin. Well, let me take a half step
back. I don't recall if I briefed the board on borings that were actually there were test bits um that were undertaken um by Jesse and his team alongside O'Reilly, Talbot and
Oakland professionals. Um so these this is a soils analysis uh looking at the bearing capacity and suitability of the soils for the footings that will be underneath the arched covert. He did mention I Okay. Yeah, good. Um so if that was planned or if it took place
either way that's done that's out of the way. He mentioned he's still waiting on the report but um that work did take place. So adjacent to that um those test bits is an unfinished storm water basin roughed in to man the storm water closed during the construction process. But
with virtually everything but the cover constructed around it, it's time to finalize the construction of that basin and get ready to receive water from the street when it's completed. Uh so he has been working to, if you will, um adjust
some grades around that basin. uh he's working well within the easement area that's been staked out that location and uh it's been some coordination with the land. I think that particular parcels for sale at the moment. Um so so that
everybody understands what's um taking place out there. Uh Jesse is the first to say that uh this is a little bit slower um of a starting to the spring than he'd anticipated, but he recognizes that um you know getting some seed in the ground uh for May is
important uh to grab as much as we can of a favorable growing season assuming we start to exit our drought conditions. Okay. Um so that's the update. think we need
to say to the planning board and I think Justin said well we need to look for more activity on the ground. He does have some back filling of loom against the sidewalks that have been constructed. Um he's mentioned that he's doing sidewalks I think in one lot sections um to try to limit that
exposure um and to finish that storm water basin that those pieces are there to be substantially towards uh being done except for the remaining roadway and cover construction. Okay. Okay.
All right. All right. So, that's the update. And I'm sorry, one thing I have to say is that I offered to him um the opportunity to not come this evening given that it was a limited um update uh and the fact that that he had just met with Randy and I. So, he looks forward
to um stopping next Tuesday. We work clos. All right. So next, the proposed replacement sign panels the 504 College High Bank and an existing freestanding
sign. Okay. In if I may, I'll Mr. I'll walk this one through a little bit. Uh in contrast to what we were doing a moment ago with the Dollar General project, this is existing signage where we the
Mason Agency. Oh, there it is right there. Um, so refacing this existing sign to Oh, not sharing without keep myself. I can't see things. I was like, did anybody else see it?
See, perfection being the end of progress. Anyways, now I'm perfect. Okay, so we see the existing signage. We see the proposed signage here. Um, we're within acceptable dimensions. Um, was
I'm sorry, 20 square feet per side on this particular sign. Um, and this is uh, there's no internal lighting on this. It looks the same. Yeah, they're retaining the wooden white framing. I did Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.
That's it. The only uh note that I had for the applicant um was they're going to reface the sign. Let's go ahead and repair the missing uh cap on the second post there so that
this does not appear to be in disrepair. Right. Well, are there any questions or comments, concerns from board members? No. Very basic. Say that again, Dick. Very basic. Yep. Shan bezy.
It's not a particularly pretty sign they're replacing with, but that's not my job. Do I hear a motion for a positive recommendation for the uh proposed replacement sign panels at 504 college? Dave Spina. So move the
counc. The counc. Moving on to meeting minutes. Sure. Um, March 11th. I I did grab the missing space that on the cover page. You like
this is I meant to just capitalize special and I I made up a new word. official permit process official process. Lovely. Yes. So that and yeah, Mr.
Hay space, but other than that, do I hear a motion to approve the minutes for March 11th, 2025? D second. We'll call vote. Jessica Thor and I D.
And there are no such changes that I could find right away for March 27th. So, do I a motion to approve the meeting's minutes to vote? So, you got a second. We'll call vote just vote and I D I just
I moving on the planning board for discussions of comments. Mr. Goddard already mentioned Alvin Allen last night. I had a chance to just meet with him really quickly. He seems
like a very capable person and will be ready to jump in with both feet if he can handle the many different communities and flavors that encompass Springfield. This is a new flavor, but um I'm sure you'll be able to handle that. I attended the April 10th meeting
of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. We finally approved the budget. We were also um able to uh be presented with a couple of presentation. One focused on EV programs uh for municipalities both in regards to fleet
management and how we could do that as well as um charging stations. So how a town can utilize some of these programs if we're interested in bringing them to town. Um as well as the unlocking housing production commissions report is
finally released. It's like a 100 pages long, but it really it has it's inclusive of a lot of strategies and recommendations um from all aspects of housing, whether it's the economic incentives, zoning, and land use and what changes we can make um regulations,
codes, and all that sort of stuff. So, if you're interested, I can share it out to you. Looking for a little bit of light reading, but I did forward those over to um Diane Gail on the select board as those are some areas that I know she's really interested in working with over there.
Um, and then I guess I will mention I was brought to my attention an article that was written today um to potentially repeal the short-term rental bylaw that we and Mr. worked so hard at. No good
deed. No good. So, um I will be looking at that more closely myself and then perhaps also asking my fellow board members if they have any comments or additional things that they would like uh me in particular to add at the town
meeting when this comes up for discussion. So, anything else? No, I mean other than this being Well, no. Okay. All right. Well, then hearing
nothing else, do I hear a motion to close the meeting? Disot. All those in favor say I. I. Thank you and have a good night.