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12:02:11 am Board Discusses Open Space Plan

Categories: Rochester

A meeting of the Rochester Planning Board was called to order by Arnold Johnson on July 27, 2010 at 7:10 pm at the Rochester Town Hall. Also present were committee members Gary Florindo, Robert Cummings, Dan McGaffey, Bendrix Bailey, John DeMaggio and Planning Board Secretary Shirley Darcy. Susan Peterson of the Open Space Action Committee also was present.

As the first order of business, the board approved the June 22 minutes. Soon thereafter, the board approved various vouchers for field engineering work and supplies.

In another action item, the board voted to officially lower a $1 million bond by $187,438 for Connet Woods developer Tim Higgins.

The board then discussed a request for a two-year extension for a Back Lot Special Permit granted on June 24, 2008 for a property off Vaughan Hill Road. After noting that the deadline already transpired to obtain an extension, Mr. Johnson suggested receiving legal input from Town Counsel Blair Bailey in writing on how to proceed.

Mr. Cummings also suggested that the two-year deadline be reconsidered. “Expirations create more problems than they solve because if they transfer ownership, now there is a parcel of land that does not have the possibility to be built on,” commented Mr. Cummings. Further, the applicant would have to re-apply for a Special Permit or go to Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance, he said.

The board ultimately voted to continue this discussion – in addition to two other Special Permit Extensions – on August 10 after conferring with Mr. Bailey on the matter and getting his feedback in writing.

Mr. Johnson also announced that the SRPEDD grant assistance application was submitted by the July 16 deadline. “We tried to hit on the points they wanted, but left a lot of room for interpretation,” he said. The grant would provide assistance for developing mixed-use bylaws.

The next item involved a vote on modifying the latest draft of the Affordable Housing Plan. Mr. Johnson suggested that the board examine in further detail the Board of Health’s new flexible bylaws. However, Mr. Cummings responded that, “I don’t think we need do to anything. It is between the Board of Health and the developer.” He noted that all plans are submitted to each board for review and at that time the BOH can bring up conflicts to their bylaws in a proposed plan.

“I don’t want to create conflict,” Mr. Johnson answered, but Mr. Cummings stressed again, “This is the Planning Board, not the Board of Health.” The board dropped the issue and voted against the latest revision of the Affordable Housing Plan with Mr. DeMaggio in opposition, Mr. Cummings and Mr. Bailey abstaining, and Mr. Johnson, Mr. Florindo and Mr. McGaffey in favor of the revised copy.

A lengthy discussion ensued about the best way to open up Rochester to “houses of all economic backgrounds,” as Mr. Cummings described it. Mr. Bailey said that he is open to relaxing zoning requirements so individuals can buy cheaper and smaller lots, but took issue with mandates, such as 40B which penalizes towns that have less than 10 percent affordable housing. Mr. McGaffey said the fact that under 40B, only subsidized developments are considered affordable is an inherently flawed approach because it fails to consider smaller cottages.

Following the vote, Mr. Johnson noted that the Select Board is submitting the affordable housing document – regardless of the Planning Board’s vote – to the state government. “If you don’t have it on file, it affects grants and leaves the town wide open for 40B developers,” he said, describing it as a “game plan.” Mr. Cummings added that it is an admission that Rochester does not have affordable housing, “but we need some and there are ways to do it.” Mr. Johnson said that the planning board did not write the document, and that all questions regarding it should be directed to Town Administrator Richard LaCamera.

The topic then arose of when to meet with consultant Phil Herr, who is working on a new zoning overlay district for the town center. The board agreed that it could meet at 6:00 pm – an hour before its regularly scheduled meeting – on August 10 to chart out the plans to modify the zoning bylaws.

Mr. Johnson then reported that Wareham and Rochester selected an individual to serve as the new part-time town planner from three potential candidates. It was unclear if the individual has accepted the offer; however, if all moves accordingly, he will begin working sometime in mid-to-late August. He would be committed to working two days per week in Rochester and be required to attend all meetings.

“He is enthusiastic and willing to think outside the box… He seemed willing to get his hands dirty,” Mr. Johnson said, adding that he believes he will fit in nicely with the board.

Then Ms. Peterson of the Open Space Action Committee distributed its Rochester Open Space and Recreation Plan that she said the committee “hopes to implement as opposed to having it on a shelf.” Ms. Peterson in particular is concerned with goals for the year 2010 and noted that of the seven actions for 2010, almost all of them require action by the Planning Board. After a preliminary reaction to the plan, Ms. Peterson agreed to continue the discussion once the new planner is on board to avoid any redundancy.

At this point, Mr. Cummings formally announced that he would step down from the Planning Board on August 10. “The caravan leaves for California,” he said.

The board then had a brief discussion on a former applicant who failed to follow the conditions of a Special Permit for a common driveway. The applicants did not obtain proper permits for its project and has encountered finance issues, Mr. Johnson said. The board agreed to open a new hearing to consider an amendment to the Special Permit so the applicant can continue with the project.

With nothing left on the agenda, the board adjourned at 8:50 pm.

By Laura Pedulli

 

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