Planning Board meeting
Town of Princeton, Mass.-- PLANNING BOARD meeting At T.H. Annex w/ remote participation by conference call
Meeting Minutes --– October 7, 2020 7:30 PM
Present were: Chair John Mirick, Tom Sullivan, Ian Catlow, Rud Mason and Ann Neuburg with candidate-for-alternate Corey Burnham-Howard. Michael Watkins from Monti’s attending
7:45 PM Opened meeting after discovering a glitch in the GoToMeeting set-up and started discussion.
Mike Watkins presented a site plan showing how his business can expand into the building next door, specifically with the addition of a coffee shop/bar. He explained a new layout for the existing and proposed features of his retail business including employee parking, access points, exterior lighting, hours of operation and potential musical events. Board agreed that a new site plan was required, with the addition of an entire building, rather than an amendment to the existing site plan approved in April, 2019. The group discussed signage, and potential changes to the group sign currently being used at the property’s road frontage. John M. suggested that Mike get input from his abutters and noted that an aerial view of the site would be helpful. He will be submitting a site plan for review as the next step.
8 PM Corey Burnham-Howard arrived as she has applied to be a (2nd) alternate member of the Pl. Bd. John M. pointed out that the Harrington Farm issue is pending and two regular members will need to recuse, so having two alternates is desirable. He also explained the board’s ongoing tasks, including crafting zoning amendment articles for ATM. Ann N. described the housing needs project. Corey outlined her background as focusing on land use while in law school, and the fact that she writes a zoning bulletin for a national publication, among other accomplishments related to land use. She offered some comments on the wording in the proposed zoning clarifications which will be presented at the next Town Meeting.
The Board voted unanimously to recommend to the Select Board the appointment of Corey as a second alternate member.
8:30 PM The board voted all in favor to appoint Ann N. as its delegate to Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission and to recommend to the Selectboard that Ian Catlow be appointed the town’s alternate on the CMRPC.
Ann reported that she has created an informational letter on Housing Needs for insertion in the town census mailing and on the town website. Thre was discussion about virtual meetings on Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) being offered in coming weeks.
The group noted that upcoming zoning articles for ATM might include changes to the description of “uses” in each zoning district, which currently are worded so as to allow cumulative (i.e. multi-use)—in Business and Industrial districts.
9:05 PM Group voted all in favor to approve the minutes of Sept. 16, 2020.
Respectfully submitted: Marie Auger, land use coordinator
9: PM Adjourned. The next PB meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.
Referenced Documents – Site Plan for Monti’s Market; draft Housing Needs Survey;