Planning Board
Town of Princeton, MA Planning Board
Meeting Minutes
December 20, 2023
Town Hall Annex and GoToMeeting
Board Members present in-person: Ian Catlow, John Mirick, Ann Neuburg, Tom Sullivan and Alternate Member Larry DeBlois
Board Member absent: none (Rud Mason resigned in November)
Alternate Board Member absent: Corey Burnham-Howard
Other Participation, in person: none
Other Participation, remote: none
Call to order: 7:30 PM
Site Plan Review Decision - 15 Ralph Road
The Board reviewed the draft site plan review decision. Tom suggested a clarification in the description of the area between the Ralph Road pavement and the edge of the town right of way. The Board approved the clarification.
MOTION to approve site plan review decision as clarified.
Motion: Tom Sullivan; second:Ann Neuburg
Vote: unanimous
Common Driveway Design Standards
John will work on a revision to Corey’s draft for review at the next meeting.
Possible Flood Plain By-Law
DCR has suggested that while the proposed prohibition against building in a flood hazard area is clear, the proposed amendment should include a statement of purpose and an explicit reference to the role of the Conservation Commission. John circulated a draft for discussion, using the term “flood hazard area as delineated by FEMA.” Ian pointed out that FEMA has several levels of flood hazards, and that the by-law should be more specific. John will work on a new draft, and will also ask for input from the Conservation Commission.
High Density Zoning
We are waiting for feedback from CMRPC on the issues with the algorithm testing of the proposed by-law.
Discussion of Master Plan
Substantive discussion was deferred. The Master Plan Committee has not met.
Housing Implementation Committee
Ann reported that the committee is looking into the changes in affordable housing proposed by the Healey administration. These include Additional Dwelling Units as of right, without requiring owner occupancy or special permits. It is not clear whether the legislation is intended to preclude site plan review. Our Accessory Apartment by-law requires a special permit with site plan review and owner occupancy. It was the sense of the Board that at least owner occupancy and site plan review are essential.
Review and Approve meeting minutes of December 6, 2023
Tom suggested the same clarification in the description of the area between the Ralph Road pavement and the edge of the town right of way. The Board approved the clarification.
MOTION to approve minutes as clarified.
Motion: Ian Catlow; second:Larry DeBlois
Vote: unanimous
January Meetings
The Board decided not to meet on January 3. The next meeting will be on January 17, beginning with a joint public hearing with the ZBA on the proposal to re-establish the used car lot at “Captain Bob’s” in East Princeton. If the ZBA grants the special permit, the Planning Board will review the site plan.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John Mirick
Documents reviewed: Draft site plan decision 15 Ralph Road
Draft by-law amendment for flood plain
Draft minutes for 12/6 23