Planning Board
Town of Princeton, Mass.PLANNING BOARD Meeting Minutes--– Nov. 3, 2021 7:30 PM
Town Hall Annex and GoToMeeting
Present: Chair John Mirick, Members Rud Mason, Ann Neuburg, Ian Catlow, alternates Corey Burnham-Howard and Lisa Drexhage
Online: Holly Walton, Jake Roczniak, Jane Morrison, John Chase, Linda Nash, Pamela Hill, Rachel Catlow, Tim Canfield
7:30 PM Call to Order.
Outdoor marijuana grow facility
Administrative tasks were postponed to get immediately to attendee’s concern: the proposed outdoor grow facility at Beaman Road.
The proposed facility is much larger than any previously presented, using an approach of 4 “independent” vendors sharing a site owned by 1, sub-let to the other 3. Members of the audience and board member Ian had tried to get additional information from the Cannabis Control Commission. Calls and emails were not answered.
Interested residents created an initial draft (starting with a draft from Pioneer Valley Planning Commission) of a bylaw to prohibit future facilities of this type within the residential-agricultural district. Similar bylaws have been adopted by Springfield and Munson and outdoor growing operations have recently been banned in Pittsfield and Williamstown.
Chairman Mirick led a general discussion of the procedure to submit a bylaw to Annual Town or Special Meeting. The usual channels require a couple of months at minimum. The time can be shortened by asking the Select Board to start the process.
The advice of the board is to request that the Select Board fast track an amendment to the bylaws to prohibit outdoor grow facilities in Residential/Agricultural districts. A simple easy-to-understand change is more likely to be supported by the required 2/3 majority at Town Meeting than a complex new bylaw.
A more comprehensive new bylaw (including more accurate definitions section!) can then be run through the usual process. The board also advised that if a bylaw reaches Town Meeting and is voted down, it must wait 2 years to be reconsidered.
Question: Would a MEPA review be required for the proposed facility? The Select Board and Planning Board can request “additional information” for the community host agreement, which could ask for a MEPA review.
Question: Is extraction of marijuana concentrates considered an agricultural activity? Yes, according to a June 2021 decision of the appellate court.
General discussion of the Community Outreach Meeting (Tuesday 11/22, 5pm – 9 pm online only. The 4 applicants are presenting 4 1-hour virtual-only meetings. Information and links to the meeting are at:
https://www.town.princeton.ma.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4891/f/events/cannibus_hearings_11.22.2021.pdf
Housing
Sherry Patch reported (via AN) that the Princeton Housing Production Plan committee still needs one citizen member, and that CMRPC just lost several staff. AN invited audience members to participate.
Encouraging Business
Pamela Hill (online) asked about permitted uses for Susan Minns House on Radford Road. Can weddings be hosted there?
No, not if there is a charge for it.
Noise Bylaw
Rud Mason commented that of all the bylaws he’s reviewed, he likes the parameter-based ones best. General discussion of other town’s bylaws: Amherst (too restrictive), Sunderland and Ayer (better). General consensus that any Princeton bylaw should not be subjective, but objective and parameter-based.
Administrative
Unanimous vote to approve of minutes of the 10/20/2021.
Next meeting: Thursday 11/18/2021 7:30
9:10 PM. Unanimous vote to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted:
Ann Neuburg