Planning Board Meeting Minutes 2/25/21
APPROVED OFFICIAL MINUTES
PUBLIC MEETING
Meeting Date: February 25, 2021
Meeting Time: 7:00 pm
Meeting Place: Monterey Town Office (Planning Board Members Only)
Members in Attendance: TS, BJ, Clerk
Members Remote: LM, RT
Public: Adam Chait (Fiber Connect), Peter (Last name unknown)
Meeting Opened: 7:15 pm
ZBA Application Review:
271 Main Rd – Fiber Connect – Special Permit
Adam Chiat of Fiber Connect briefed the members on the special permit application. RT briefed the members of the history of the site as a auto repair business. TS commented that the site is in the agriculture/residential zoning district. Adam Chiat informed the members there will not be any retail traffic. The building was constructed in 1965 prior to current zoning. The proposed use does not meet the current requirements of the zoning bylaws for commercial or professional use but may qualify to be grandfathered as a commercial use. TS reviewed Section 4.1 General Requirements. The proposed project complies with Section 4.1, however, there was discussion regarding requirements for parking spaces. AC replied that the parking requirements will be in compliance with the square footage of the building with one handicapped spot. TS questioned the number of office employees that will be working in the office. AC anticipates no more than 5 employees at any time. LM questioned where the line men will be parking. AC replied that they would park in the garage while out in the field with the work trucks. The garage will be 6 bays, 2 vehicles deep. There will be a lobby but they don’t expect much public access. BJ added that Fiber Connect will do more house calls than office activity. RT commented that he feels there is adequate space for parking. AC pointed out on the plan that behind the garage building will be reserved for overflow parking. CA is satisfied that there is a reserved area for future need and overflow. TS recommends that the Board request the plan to show the 8 proposed parking spaces and an additional 10 parking spaces for future possible use (a total of 18) to comply with the requirements of the square footage for the two buildings. BJ questioned Fiber Connect’s plans for expansion and if they will be seeking additional garages locally. AC replied, they may need to seek additional space as needed in the future in neighboring towns. TS reviewed conditions for a special permit application. TS and BJ commented that Fiber Connect will provide the Broad Band to Monterey, a social and economic need. Impacts to the neighborhood character were discussed and concluded that there will not be a negative impact, there are no other residential structures or commercial buildings except for the Road Side Café. CA believes the addition of the proposed project would be an improvement to the neighborhood. LM agrees. TS summarized the comments for the special permit application and concluded that the proposed application is not detrimental to the neighborhood and generally beneficial to the neighborhood. No other comments.
Agent will draft summary of comments for members to review prior to submission to the ZBA.
Monterey Town Bylaws Review:
TS reviewed Section 2.2. BJ reviewed Section 2.3 – 2.4 TS states 2.4.2 may need updating with precise property lines. LM reviews Section 3.0., CA reviewed the tables of use, Sections 3 and 4
TS questions why a 2-family home is not listed in the table. LM asked why tiny homes is not in the table. TS replied that tiny homes are defined as an accessory unit. RT reviews Section C of the table. TS questions exemption of Section C.3, Section 3. Local & Non-local, D. Recreational Uses. TS questions Riding academy or stable in Lake Districts, LM questioned the definition of a non-profit recreational use? TS reviewed Section F, G, and H. BJ reviewed Section I and J. TS questioned the definition of intensive and non-intensive and reviewed the section of definitions. TS questioned Renting of Rooms. LM reviewed section K. and 3.2 Accessory Uses.
Members will review Section 4 at the next meeting.
Misc.:
Reports from Board Members:
LM reviewed the Master Plan and would like to discuss her thoughts at the next meeting.
Review Misc. Correspondence:
N/A
Approve prior minutes:
1.14.2021 Minutes were approved with corrections.
Next meeting is scheduled for March 11 at 7 pm.
Adjournment:
9 pm.