Planning Board
Town of Princeton, MA Planning Board
Meeting Minutes
December 7, 2022
Town Hall Annex and GoToMeeting
Board Members present in-person: Rud Mason, John Mirick, and Alternate Corey Burnham-Howard
Board Members present, remote: Ann Neuburg
Absent: Ian Catlow, Tom Sullivan, Alternate Lisa Drexhage
Public Participation, in person: Deb Cary, Larry DeBlois, Jennifer Greene, Fran Thomas, and Carla Zottoli
Public Participation, remote: Emily Glaubitz (CMRPC)
Call to order: 7:30 PM
ANR Plan Reviews
There were no ANR plans to review.
Housing Production Plan
The Housing Plan Production Committee held a joint meeting with the Board to discuss the Housing Production Plan. In addition to Ann Neuburg (remote), co-chairs of the HPPC Carla Zottoli and Deb Cary, and members Jennifer Greene and Fran Thomas were present in person. Emily Glaubitz (CMRPC) participated remotely. Carla, Ann, and Emily reported on the public feedback and the edits made to the draft report that had been reviewed with the Planning Board at the November 18, 2022 meeting.
After adoption by Planning Board and Selectboard, the Housing Production Plan will be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development for review and approval. Then the Selectboard will appoint an implementation committee, probably including at least one member of the HPPC for continuity.
There was some discussion about the Center School as a possible site for development if that site is not used for a new public safety building. That is a matter for consideration by the implementation committee.
MOTION to adopt the Housing Production Plan
Motion: Rud Mason; second: Ann Neuburg
Vote: unanimous
High Density Zoning as MBTA Community
Emily recommended that the Board include a brief narrative report to accompany the draft of an overlay high density zoning district. The draft should have sufficient detail to show the effort that went into the draft, and the rationale for the draft. The Chair will work on a narrative report to be review by the Board at the January 4, 2023 meeting.
Larry DeBlois mentioned that he had seen a cottage-type development in another town, and suggested that the experiences in that town might be relevant to Princeton. He volunteered to get information.
The Chair reported that the Citizen Planner Training Collaborative has a Zoom program on high density zoning scheduled for December 19. The presenters are from DHCD, and were the presenters at the Zoom program sponsored by CMRPC in October. He plans to participate, and will report back on any new information or change in approach by DHCD.
Possible Site Plan Reviews
The Chair reported that he had been informally approached about a proposal for a food truck in East Princeton. His informal advice was that a food truck was a new business use, and would require site plan approval under Section IV.3. He encouraged the applicant to meet with the Board for an informal discussion before filing an application for site plan review.
The Chair reported that he had been informally approached about a proposal for a nano-brewery on Hubbardston Road, not involving a tap room or other on-site consumption. His informal advice was that a nano-brewery was probably a “home specialty retail” home occupation and would need a special permit under Section XVIII.1(B)(2). He encouraged the applicants to meet with the Board for an informal discussion before filing for a special permit.
Next Meeting
The Board decided not to meet on December 21. The next meeting of the Board will be Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 7:30 in the Town Hall Annex.
Review and Approve Meeting Minutes of November 18, 2022
MOTION to approve minutes
Motion: Rud Mason; second: Ann Neuburg
Vote: unanimous
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
MOTION to adjourn passed unanimously
Respectfully submitted,
John Mirick
Documents reviewed: Revised Draft of 2022 Housing Production Plan and cover letter from HPPC on changes