The June 1 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board found the members engaged in discussion about possible next steps to the ongoing question: “Does Mattapoisett want affordable housing?” While the quick answer seems to be yes, lingering questions and the impact of reduced price tags on residential buildings are wide open.
In attendance was Liz DeCarlo, who questioned who or what department is in charge of overseeing zoning changes. Chair Tom Tucker said that the Planning Board’s job is to implement zoning bylaws, formulate changes as needed, and to hold public hearings to gain voter input to proposed changes. After review by the Select Board, it’s the Planning Board’s job to present warrant articles at Town Meeting. The Spring Town Meeting saw the cottage bylaw article fail.
Once again, member William Wennerberg explained that the intent of the proposed new bylaw for cottage-style developments along the Route 6 corridor was not to advance affordable housing but rather offer those with sufficient funds an alternative to a full-sized lot. He said that people didn’t understand what the new bylaw was attempting to offer the community, smaller lots, smaller investment at prices that were “attainable.”
Tucker said that, in spite of the best efforts of the board, few people took advantage of numerous public meetings and hearings that would have answered all their questions.
DeCarlo and newly minted Select Board member Nicole Doyon wondered if there isn’t a wider conversation that could be planned, bringing together all the stakeholders. Tucker reiterated that numerous meetings on the topic have taken place to no avail. He also said that the board plans to “bring this back, at a future Town Meeting.”
Business conducted on this night was approval of an ANR (Approval Not Required) for property located at 41 Fairhaven Road and owned by Sharon and Patrick Costello.
Also handled were stormwater-design modifications for the new Water and Sewer headquarters planned for 15 Industrial Drive.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for June 15 at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell