“I’ve reviewed the Master Plan,” began Planning Board member John Mathieu as Monday night’s agenda panned to New Business. Mathieu, who had previously been a board member and more recently returned when a vacancy made it possible. Mathieu said that the updated Master Plan draft is acceptable on a number of levels and focuses on housing as a major consideration in the town’s long-range planning. But zoning regulations need a thorough vetting, the members believe, in order to facilitate anything close to affordable units.
Mathieu said that the Village Business District currently allows for certain types of housing units and architectural designs but that an increase in density that would allow condominium-type units would require zoning modifications.
On the issue of what state regulations require for low-income affordability, Mathieu was less concerned and believed a harder look at current zoning bylaws is needed to better understand what flexibility currently exists and what can be achieved through updates.
The board also briefly discussed the possibility of zoning changes that would give greater flexibility to units falling under the category of ADU (additional dwelling unit) such as guest homes. Presently, zoning requires an acre of land for these units. “It’s a way to create a home on an existing lot,” Mathieu said.
All Planning Board members agreed it is time to take a hard look at zoning and that such a project could take place during the winter months in preparation for the Spring Town Meeting.
In other business, developer Scott Snow received an exchange for lots held to a $48,000 cash surety for Eldridge Estates off Prospect Road. The cash-surety sum complies with a review of the development by the town’s engineering consultant, Field Engineering.
Mathieu also brought to the board’s attention that Town Hall’s administration has posted a job opening for town planner. “We don’t need a planner, we need a secretary,” he said. Mathieu said that there was not sufficient business taking place in the town to warrant a planner but that someone in the office to handle the volumes of paperwork is needed. Board Chairman Tom Tucker said he would communicate that to the town administrator.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, October 16, at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell