2017-2018 Plans and Recommendations

Goals and objectives for 2017-18, along with current status:

Goal and reason for it	Expected outcome/Final output	Status
Creating an affordable and attractive housing stock for a new era Read Kameron Spaulding’s summary of the issues here And, read Kam’s suggested changes to the Zoning bylaw here	Bylaw sections under review are outlined in this one-pager and in this more detailed chart, which both reflect recommendations from the Housing Production Plan, the Equitable Development Next Steps Memorandum, and review items from Kameron Spaulding. A detailed timeline has not been set.	1) The 2017-2022 Housing Production Plan was adopted by the Planning Board on Aug. 29, 2017. 2) Paper organizing all research into actions that PB can take was presented at Aug. 29, 2017 meeting. Will be rolled into Master Plan.
Review bylaws relating to Short Term Rentals Review our Seasonal Rental of Rooms bylaw 8.8.1 for appropriateness given the dramatic rise in the Short Term Rental market — e.g. AirBnB, VRBO, Homeaway, etc — as a way to vacation.	Updates to the current bylaw, 8.8.1 “Seasonal Rental of Rooms”. See our detailed webpage on this project.	Under way. A subcommittee is formed and is meeting actively.
Lenox Village parking As a followup to bylaw revisions passed at Town Meeting in May 2017, work with the Town on an updated parking plan for Lenox Village that would create more spaces.	Parking Plan recommendations for Lenox Village to be handed off to the Select Board for consideration for implementation.	Some work completed, will be incorporated into the Master Plan: The Board has “walked” the parking situation and in that context reviewed initial proposals. The Chair has summarized the Board’s input; the Board needs to do a final review of the memo; the work will be incorporated into the Master Plan.
Recreational Marijuana The State Legislature is expected to pass regulations to enable the sale and use of recreational marijuana by mid-year 2018.	We need to have bylaw proposals ready for Annual Town Meeting in May 2018 or at latest, Special Town Meeting in November 2018.	Moratorium in place; work on bylaws to begin in Spring: Lenox passed a moratorium on recreational marijuana at Town Meeting in May 2017. The Moratorium is in place through Dec. 2018. The Planning Board expects to begin working on an updated bylaw after state regulations are adopted in March. We will likely hold several information forums, as well as a public hearing to review proposed bylaw recommendations to be voted on at Town Meeting in November.
Lenox Dale development The Select Board has asked for the Planning Board’s feedback on Lenox Dale studies, including dialogs with residents, on future potential development there.	Prioritized Action Plan for Lenox Dale	Under way and will be incorporated into Master Plan: Memo from Planning Board summarizing findings so far has been completed. Will be incorporated into Master Plan.
Lenox Master Plan Begin planning for 2018-19 update to the Master Plan.	A plan for how to move forward including budget request if required. Gather all plans from other boards and committees and put them on a website.	Under way: Budget request for $50,000 to hire a planning consultant was presented and approved at the Nov. 2017 special Town Meeting. RFP has been issued and consultant selection will be completed May/June 2018. See webpage here.
Update to Sign bylaw Jim Biancolo has updated the existing Sign bylaw with the goal to make it easier for businesses and citizen to navigate and understand. So far there are no material changes.	Possibly, present the revised bylaw for a vote at November Annual Town Meeting. But other bylaw and Master Plan work may delay this into the next year.	We have the proposed changes in hand. Kam Spaulding to meet with Jim to review and reflect comments of Board and also take a broader look at sign issue. Many thanks to Jim for taking this on!!!
241 Walker Street project and Approval Not Required reviews	Planning Board is the permit-granting authority for a New Open Space and Flexible Development Overlay District (Section 9.7) at 241 Walker anticipated shortly. Various Form A / Approval Not Required reviews throughout the year.	Special permit granted May 2018.

Heard from citizens and others:

• Allow for multifamily in C.
• Review/expand use table re Ground Mounted Solar
• Need to improve cell phone service – potential bylaw change required
• LDTA for economic development component
• Need to look at requirements for educational and religious institutions and whether there are conflicts with Dover amendment

Related and other items on the priority considerating list, recommended by Land Use Director:

• Need to better understand Inclusionary Zoning bylaw as per issue that came up re: Walker Street Apartments and fix bylaw if necessary.
• Issue identified: Requirement that driveways and parking be 30′ from side setbacks not consistent with realities of commercial development — perhaps better to eliminate setback and instead let ZBA require more if traffic study etc. suggests necesary. 
• BRPC reports: State has now authorized municipalities to regulate local air strips.
• Improvement of our Zoning Bylaw.
  • These include amendments to ease the permitting burden on non-conforming parcels (i.e. make them conforming);
• Revisit the Site Plan Review mechanism.
• Specifically, focus on optimal zoning in Lenox Dale
• Create a unique Town Center Village District and a unique Lenox Dale Village District.
• Added to list May 2019:

  2016 legislative change to Chapter 40A, Section 9, which now provides for a three-year Special Permit term, which is one year longer than our Zoning Bylaw reflects in Section 3.4.6.

  The approval of Section 30 of Chapter 219 of the Acts of 2016, St. 2016, Ch. 219, broadened chapter 40A, § 9, governing Special Permits by extending from two (2) years to three (3) years the term of a Special Permit. This change now gives developers three full years to either commence construction or substantial use. This feature better allows owners and developers to adapt their construction schedule to economic, labor, and market conditions without having to seek an extension from the special permit-granting authority.  Section 30 also took effect immediately on August 11, 2016.

  Need to amend our Zoning Bylaw to reflect this change.  Here is the link to MGL Chapter 40A, Section 9, as revised:

  https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter40A/Section9

   

• See the Planning Board’s 2016-17 Goals and Accomplishments here.