At its February 3 meeting, the Planning Board, as usual, considered a mix of complex, long-term issues along with a few routine matters.
In the fifteen minutes between coming to order and opening the Continued Public Hearing on the housing development underway at 78 Wareham Road, the Board voted unanimously to (1) approve a payment of $2,400 to Field Engineering, Inc.; and (2) approve the minutes of its January 21 meeting; then (3) shared a determination from the Office of the Attorney General that found no wrongdoing or violations of the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law, resolving a question that had been brought by a board member.
The Board then turned to the 78 Wareham Road project’s Special Permit and Major Site Plan Review, beginning with an update from developer Matt Zuker and continued to a discussion of the draft special permit and accompanying covenant, a document required by the town. After some discussion, including comments from the Town Planner, the Board voted to approve the Covenant as presented. It then closed the formal hearing and voted to approve the Special Permit, contingent on the permit reflecting the amount of the municipal lien to be purchased for inclusionary housing units to $225,00.
Per the agenda, attention turned to discussion on the Aquifer Protection District. John Rockland of the Open Space Commission noted that he had been asked by the town manager to rewrite and update the existing plan to ensure it meets current requirements of the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). He reviewed these, as well as issues related to Federal rules and collateral questions and issues concerning the Water Supply Protection District. Challenges going forward will include modifying or maintaining zoning restrictions. The plans are available to the public from the Planning Board.
Finally, the Board addressed the question of Short-Term Rentals. The state has new requirements and, as with the coming changes in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), the town needs to modify its zoning by-laws to conform, while adapting to local needs where possible. Issues to be dealt with include identification/registration of homeowners offering rentals, safety inspections, minimum stays, etc.
Members of the Board agreed to review and prepare suggestions for a discussion at its next meeting on February 18. This will allow it to firm up proposed language in time to notify the public and present at a Public Hearing on March 3, with the aim of presenting at the Spring Open Town Meeting.
It was also noted that earlier in the day the new Harbormaster’s office had opened, much to the satisfaction of the Board and many others in town.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55.
The Marion Planning Board’s next meeting will be February 18 in the Police Department Conference Room at 7:00 pm.
Marion Planning Board
By Mary McCann Fiske