Mattapoisett’s Planning Board has spent time working on improving the language in several zoning bylaws – changes they hope will make the bylaws easier to understand and to implement in the community. To that end, they have dedicated portions of their regularly scheduled meetings to the effort while also imploring the community to add their voice. Once they are satisfied that all changes and improvements are complete, they hope to put the edited bylaws to the vote during the Fall 2014 town meeting.

During the July 21 meeting, Brad Saunders, managing partner of D + E Management LLC (a Bay Club partner), presented the board with language changes to bylaws governing cluster housing developments. Saunders explained that due to demand changes in the real estate market, partners at the Bay Club are looking to move from high-end homes to more affordable mid-range townhouses. Present zoning bylaws, however, would make that difficult. With this in mind Saunders gave the board a letter that included the following suggested changes: Add new subsection 3.8.4.4 Zero-Lot line Lots.

            3.8.4.4.1 – Up to 20% of the lots in a Cluster Subdivision may be designated as zero-lot line lots, provided the entire Cluster Subdivision is served by a public sewer system. A zero-lot line lot is a signal-family residential lot created with no side-yard setback on one side of the lot, thereby creating a shared building envelope between two adjoining lots. This shared building envelope shall only be used to build a duplex where the common wall between the two units is the common boundary line separating the two adjoining residential lots. No lot can have more than one side yard with a zero setback.

3.8.4.4.2 – The following minimum dimensional regulations shall apply to zero-lot line lots in lieu of those identified in Article 6, for conventional single-family developments: Minimum Lot Area – 10,000 sq ft; Minimum Lot Frontage – 45 ft; Minimum Front Yard Setback – 25 ft; Minimum Side Yard Setback – 0 ft (shared side) / 20 ft (unshared side); Minimum Rear Yard Setback 10 ft; Maximum Lot Coverage 25%; Maximum Building Height 35 ft.

            The letter also contained the following statement: This addition will provide the Bay Club with flexibility to diversify the mix of residential product offerings while maintaining the basic ownership model of single-family homes on individual lots. The zero lot-line design will allow for the development of a duplex townhouse product within the Split Rock Lane neighborhood. There appears to be a strong demand for this type of residential unit at the Bay Club and the added diversity to the cluster subdivision concept will benefit both the Bay Club community and the Town of Mattapoisett.

Saunders also submitted language changes to Article 3 that would allow lands zoned ‘Limited Industrial’ to be used as ‘open space’ in cluster housing sub-divisions.

            Chairman Tom Tucker said they were not prepared to comment on his suggestions and needed time to review the proposed language changes. Saunders asked if a public hearing on his changes could be scheduled now. Tucker said it was premature to do so and that there was plenty of time before town meeting to review this request.

In other business, Brian Grady of GAF Engineering was back before the board with an update on drainage designs for the Appaloosa Lane sub-division project long stalled by changing ownership and water problems. Grady said that he has been working with Field Engineering (the town’s consultant) as well as Highway Department Superintendent Barry Denham to review all problems at the site. Grady said that a new plan to handle water on the site was in the conceptual phase and if acceptable to the board would move forward into full engineering specifications. He also said that test hole drilling to investigate soil quality questions was to be done on July 22.

Denham then spoke and presented the following reality check: It wasn’t the applicant’s responsibility to do anything more than control and handle water on his site. However, given that the Appaloosa site was abutted by 50 acres that were draining into it and thus contributing to the water, it now became a much bigger problem – one the town needed to address.

Denham said that since the drainage system on River Road was insufficient to handle all that would drain from Appaloosa and the other 50 acres, he wanted to work with GAF to find a solution. He said, “I believe that we can work together and satisfy everybody.”

Tucker asked about the repairs to existing catch basins. Grady said those would be completed. Grady asked for a month before returning to the Planning Board with a new fully engineered plan. Tucker asked him to come back in two weeks with an update.

Residents impacted by water overflowing onto their properties were again in attendance this night more watchful then interjecting.

Douglas Schneider of Schneider Engineering also met with the board representing Jann and Kenneth Williams in a matter of conveying a strip of land to their neighbor. Although approval wasn’t required from the board, they did agree with the request.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for August 4 at 7:00 pm.

By Marilou Newell

Between tying up his loose ends with the Town of Avon and his first meetings with Rochester department heads, new Town Administrator Michael McCue said his transition so far has gone smoothly. McCue said during his first selectmen’s meeting that he has encountered “insight and support, guidance, and advice” as a result of his initial meetings during his first three full-time days working in Town Hall.

McCue already had some suggestions for the board, including applying for the Wright Express Card, which is used by municipalities like a credit card to purchase fuel. The card, however, does not collect federal and state taxes, making purchasing gas during emergencies easier for the Town.

He also said he would be reaching out to the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District to “re-forge” some relationships he had with SRPEDD in the past.

McCue joked with the board, saying he wished he had more to report but, this being his first meeting, he said sarcastically, “I don’t want to make things up just to speak.”

“I’m still feeling my way around,” said McCue, “And, again, I feel really comfortable here and I really appreciate it.”

The new town administrator is currently in his office Mondays and Wednesdays until August 1.

Also during the meeting, the board appointed James Buckles as building commissioner. Selectman Naida Parker said the Town has had a contract with Buckles in the past as building commissioner, and Buckles will now officially be sworn in.

The board also appointed Michael Conway to fill the vacant seat on the Conservation Commission. Conway previously served on the ConCom, and Parker stated that since Conway is an attorney specializing in environmental law, “He should be a good asset for the commission.”

The attorney general’s office approved the Town Meeting-approved amendments to the flood plain bylaw and the town’s bylaw pertaining to dogs, specifically failure to license. The Office of the Attorney General suggested in a letter dated July 8 that the Town consult with town counsel to ensure that the Town is charging “valid fees” rather than “impermissible taxes.”

In other business, the board approved a 500-gallon above ground gasoline tank and a 1,000-gallon above ground diesel tank for Edward Ashley.

The board was also pleased to read correspondence from Alewives Anonymous, Inc. regarding the 2014 herring count, which is up 156% from last year.

The board announced that a “time of healing and prayer” for Roy Daniel’s recovery is scheduled for July 27 at 2:00 pm at the Rochester Town Green.

The next scheduled meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is August 11 at 6:30 pm at Town Hall.

By Jean Perry