Planning Board Minutes
Wellfleet Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Council on Aging, 7:00 PM
Members Present: Gerald E. Parent, Chair, Andrew Freeman, R. Dennis O’Connell, Alfred Pickard, Janet Reinhart
Members Absent: Eric Larsen, Janet V. Morrissey
Others Present: Assistant Town Administrator/Planner Brian Carlson, Lee Clark, Chet Lay, Richard Robicheau, Peter Stewart
Chair Parent opened the meeting at 7:03 PM.
PSD #15-02: 145 School St & 0 Off-School St.
O’Connell recused himself from the discussion due to a conflict of interest. Pickard stated that he has a business relationship with two of the abutters to the property in question, but the Board made no objection to his participation.
Chet Lay of Slade Associates presented the Preliminary Plan for a subdivision at 145 School St and 0 Off-School St.
Having done a site visit earlier in the day, the Board had questions regarding the proposed roadway into the subdivision.
Chair Parent clarified the need to lower the elevation of the cul-de-sac planned for access to the upper lots in order to achieve the required <10% grade. He also expressed his concern for the lack of visibility from the proposed roadway into School St. Parent recommended that the roadway be moved further south on School St. in order to improve visibility. Pickard pointed out that the roadway would need to be flat for at least a car length in order to provide improved visibility.
Lay was willing to explore the relocation of the access to School St. from the subdivision. He said that he would return to the Planning Board with plans that showed the road access reconfigured.
Chair Parent also requested that three oak trees that are significant in size and age be preserved. The trees in question are located on the hillside approaching the bluff near the proposed cul-de-sac.
This discussion will be continued at the Planning Board’s October 21st meeting.
Whereaway Lane Discussion
The Board examined plans of land for successive ANRs and DSDs that took place in the vicinity of 27 Whereaway Lane beginning in 1996 in order to ascertain what would be required of an applicant who wishes to divide this lot.
Discussion centered on access to the “new” lot and the adequacy of the road in order for an ANR to be considered. The owner has rights on the Whereaway Lane Extension.
The Board agreed that the applicant should determine for themselves whether it would be most appropriate to file as an ANR or as a subdivision.
Abutter Peter Stewart pointed out that the original subdivision of four lots did not allow for further subdivision and was not filed properly, leaving its legality in question according to him. He also expressed concern that the roadway to the lots in question may not comply with town standards. He brought to the Board’s attention that these two lots have been taxed separately since the beginning of 2015.
Stewart also stated that there is no street sign for Whereaway Lane Extension, which causes confusion and is a safety concern.
Senator Wolf’s Zoning Reform Legislation
O’Connell suggested that the Board not put more time into examining this legislation because he can not support it as a whole. Others agreed that there are some beneficial portions to the legislation, but there are also many challenges, and they did not wish to continue the discussion at the expense of other, more pressing issues. ATA Carlson agreed to communicate the Board’s choice to not comment on the legislation.
Food Truck Definition
The Board discussed whether it was appropriate for this body to define the term and put it on the Zoning Use Table. After discussion the Board agreed that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Needham had developed a viable definition.
Reinhart made the motion to use the definition of “food truck” drafted by Board of Selectmen of the Town of Needham; Freeman seconded; the motion passed 5-0.
The Board revised the letter drafted by ATA Carlson to go to the Board of Selectmen.
DLTA Discussion
ATA Carlson updated the Board on the progress of the work done by the CCC representative thus far. Martha Heveron of the CCC is prepared to present her work on the Wellfleet Cottage Colony Bylaw at the next Planning Board Meeting.
Affordable Housing meeting for the Outer Cape Housing Group Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 2:00 PM.
Landing Strip: update from ATA Carlson
ATA Carlson and TA Terkanian met with Lauren McKean from the Cape Cod National Seashore regarding the property known as the “Landing Strip” near Marconi Beach. Chair Parent recommended that Carlson meet with Chet Lay because of his knowledge of the history of the property and his ability to verify the boundaries. TA Terkanian stated that he has the deed, and that the funding is still available. A land swap may be the solution. Parent stated that boundaries should be confirmed before considering a land swap.
BOH & Building Dept. Complaint Logs
The Board agreed that they would like to receive the actual complaints, and a list of building permits that were issued.
Varsity Wireless/CCC update
Having attended the October 1st hearing, O’Connell updated the Board on the decision of the Cape Cod Commission in regards to the construction and installation of the Varsity Wireless Telecommunications Tower. He feels comfortable with the process the CCC used and the conclusions that were reached.
The Board scheduled the continuation of the public hearing on November 18th.
Minutes
O’Connell moved to approve the Planning Board Minutes of 9/16/15 as amended; Reinhart seconded; motion passed 4-0-1.
Correspondence
None
Topics for Future Concern
- Law Suit Old King’s Highway Community Housing Project
- Nextel – Restoration Bond
- Amendments to Road Requirements in Subdivision Rules and Regulations
Agenda for Meeting on October 21, 2015
- PSD #15-02
- DLTA
- Cottage Colony & Cluster Housing
- Pinecrest Way
Agenda for Meeting on November 4, 2015
- Cottage Colony & Cluster Housing
- FY17 Budget Work
Agenda for Meeting on November 18, 2015
- Varsity Wireless Public Hearing Continued
Adjournment
O’Connell moved to adjourn; Reinhart seconded; the motion passed 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 PM.
Public Records of October 7, 2015:
- PSD #15-02 Application & Plan on record with Town Clerk