I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Roy - honored to be selected as Chair, the Master Plan committee met last night Bissanti (Clerk), Kelly (Vice-Chair)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-03: Master Plan Committee
motion to approve, passed 9-0
2. Resolution 12-04: Creation of A Citizen Committee
motion to approve, passed 9-0
Discussion - seeking volunteers, contact Chair or Town Administrator, to be selected by Feb 15th
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-669: Amendment to Chapter 185-45 Administration and
Enforcement - Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive reading, passed 9-0
motion to s=refer to Planning Board, passed 9-0
B Taberner provided an intro
M Cerel indicates this was the re-write to clean up language and make it more clear and enforceable; Special permits are recognized by our zoning bylaws. This will be back before the Council for public hearing.
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-670: Amendment to Chapter 185-3. Definitions – Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive reading, passed 9-0
motion to s=refer to Planning Board, passed 9-0
B Dahlstrom provides an update on the next three all related to a sign bylaw, a complete re-write of the existing bylaw.
More succinct and easily readable, schedule of signs per district, a summary of the districts created
Clearly defines the Building Commissioner as the point of enforcement for all signs
major changes to temporary signs, defined the role of the design review commission
Pfeffer - objecting to one road (i.e. RT 140) not having the same bylaw all along it. It is an other level of bureaucracy, it is confusing things and not making it easier for businesses coming in.
Taberner - different sections of town have a different feel, and respectfully so. Overall, we already have a sign bylaw, this is an attempt to eliminate some of the problems with the existing bylaw. It should help to make it easier spelling things out. I won't say it will fix all the problems, in general, it lays things it out simply.
Vallee - what happens if a national company has specific colors, would they be prevented?
Dahlstrom - No, the Town Council has determined that for a national company, they would not need to abide by our color scheme. This has been vetted through a number of groups, Downtown Partnership, other businesses and town bodies.
Pfeffer - Design Review should be out of this completely, it is another level of the problem and shouldn't be there.
Bissanti - signs for businesses are very important, the gauntlet that they run through is not that easy. I applaud the hard work that has gone into this.
Nutting - I keep hearing that and yet when I meet with the developers and find that we are the easiest town to deal with, organized, easy to work with, I am dumbfounded that we are difficult to work with.
Kelly - I understand what you are saying, they will paint a rosy picture as they do not want to hinder their permit processing.
Nutting - There is a difference between being easy and letting people running over of you? Do you want a hundred different ugly signs? I don't think you do.
Bissanti - I don't think we are taking potshots at any departments. You are talking about some big companies, we are talking about the small and medium size projects to try and get it through the process. The Special Permit was a nightmare, I am glad we are cleaning it up.
Roy - I want to switch gear a little, I was hoping we would get out of regulating political signs. It still says we have to have them removed 7 days after the election. The better way would be to try and get the political groups (Democrats and Republicans), we have already meet. I think it would be better to allow the groups to do so.
Cerel - no one has a right to any activities in the public way except by bylaw or common use. People are prohibited from posting signs but they are not prohibited from holding a sign.
Roy - I think we have an opportunity to draft specific language to help resolve this situation.
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-671: Amendment to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated – Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive reading, passed 9-0
motion to refer to Planning Board, passed 9-0
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-672: Amendment to Chapter 185-20. Signs – Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive reading, passed 9-0
motion to refer to Planning Board, passed 9-0
