Marion’s zoning bylaw that addresses “inclusionary housing” has been officially recommended for change, and the Planning Board isn’t done with it yet.
Acknowledging the good intentions of Zoning Bylaw 230-8.12, which requires developers building residential units to include one “affordable” unit for every 10 built or pay the town a crippling fine, the Planning Board voted during its June 15, remote access, public hearing to recommend cutting the 10 percent units requirement to 5 percent and cut the alternative fee by $200,000.
Selectman John Waterman, who attended the meeting, spoke on behalf of the change.
“We’ve had this bylaw 17 years. It has never worked. It has never caused someone to put up affordable housing,” he said. “Those numbers are just too high; no one’s ever going to pay them.”
The solution, to be detailed sometime this year, is for Planning Board Chairperson Will Saltonstall to draft together with SRPEDD a well, thought-out bylaw that can achieve the desired impact.
“We’re looking at a bylaw that encourages affordable housing of different types (including) more moderate,” said Saltonstall. “This is a discussion that has to continue” with the Affordable Housing Committee, he added.
Town Manager Gil Hilario invited questions and comments from the public via the dedicated phone line (508-748-3509) but reported no responses. The bylaw change will go to Town Meeting floor on Monday, June 22.
The Planning Board also voted to recommend changes to Bylaw Sec. 230-11.2 “Terms Defined,” which addresses “Hazardous or Toxic material,” “Personal Kennel” (the result of proposed changes to kennel bylaw), and “Volume” (correcting a typo that affected the layout of the bylaw and seeks to clarify).
The proposed update to the Flood Plain Hazard District (Sec. 230-8.1) will not be brought to the Town Meeting floor. Hilario reported that FEMA rescinded the maps and legislation is ongoing. The full text of the bylaws can be found at marionma.gov/home/files/spring-warrant-2020.
The Planning Board discussed a special permit site plan with Bryanne Tucy, representing Gone Country Ice Cream at 428 Wareham Road. Tucy is interested in renting behind the barbershop at the corner of Spring Street and Route 6. Tucy is in the early stages of exploring the possibility.
“I don’t have a ton of money to take all unnecessary steps if somebody doesn’t think it’s a good idea at all,” she said.
Planning Board member Christopher Collings acknowledged Tucy’s intentions. “You want to get some sort of feel for where we are. I appreciate your candor. You need a go/no-go.”
“I’m not asking for approval right now,” said Tucy.
Tucy would like to scoop ice cream as a takeout stand, but is willing to pre-package her product if necessary to operate. Such a business is subject to the same regulations as any fast-food restaurant.
“We have to kind of define it that way,” said Saltonstall, who said the endeavor as neighbor to a hair-care center would require a special permit and a minor site-plan review.
Member Eileen Marum suggested Tucy check in with the Board of Registration and Cosmetology and let them know there is a barbershop inside the same structure.
If she succeeds, Tucy envisions being open year-round or only closed in January and February, offering a dimly lit, quiet atmosphere.
In other business, the Planning Board approved the funding of a bill of $64 for the advertisement of public hearings in The Wanderer. It also approved $350 to support Hilario’s attendance at the annual flood-plain conference. “My long-term goal is to get Marion in the community rating system,” said Hilario.
Hilario also reported that 61 people had attended the virtual town meeting held the hour prior. “Jay (Town Administrator McGrail) did a good job presenting the Town Meeting articles for residents,” he said. “I’m glad to see Marion doing its best to… conduct business.”
“I thought it was productive, too,” said Saltonstall, who also reported progress in the Bylaw Codification Committee last week in a meeting led by SRPEDD.
The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for July 6.
Marion Planning Board
By Mick Colageo