Planning Board meeting
Town of Princeton, Mass. PLANNING BOARD Meeting Minutes --– June 2, 2021 7:30 PM
-- Remote Participation hosted by Marie Auger on GoToMeeting.com
Present were: Chair John Mirick, Tom Sullivan Rud Mason, Ian Catlow and alternates Lisa Drexhage (partially--by remote) Corey Burnham-Howard. Ann Neuburg was absent.
7:30 PM The chair opened the meeting and Bob Peura was in for an ANR endorsement. He presented a plan showing a strip of land labeled “Outlot C” totaling one acre surrounding his houselot on Calamint Hill Road South. It supplements a similar Outlot A which was endorsed Oct. 16, 2020. He is purchasing the strip from his abutter, the McGann estate. The board suggested installation of (surveyor’s) monumentation.
Justin Hebb was in to discuss possible uses of the ground-floor space at 2 Mountain Road, known historically as the Gregory Store, located in Residential/Agricultural Zone. The building has had business/commercial uses there for many years including a post office, home heating oil business, café/diner and the current tenant, the Stimson’s landscaping architect office. The upper floor(s) are and have been apartment units.
John M. explained how the commercial use is grandfathered and how “change of use” would apply under the zoning code--which is slated for amendment at the continued ATM on June 12. Board members agreed that they would like to see economically viable uses at the site and advised Justin to research documents and deeds for use variances or special permits that may have been issued over the years.
Allen and Melissa Hawthorne were in to discuss options for business use at the town-owned lots on Hubbardston Road. Two or three house lots will be auctioned and the Hawhornes would like to move their tree/wood business and potentially build a house at the site. The three lots are zoned Business/Industrial. The group discussed issues with neighbors that may crop up with their particular business, although the Hubbardston Road area is remote with no immediately abutting neighbors. Rud Mason owns abutting property and noted that sound travels in the valley.
The board advised Melissa that uses are by-right at that site and a change of use on those lots would only require a Site Plan. She explained that they are moving forward with any permitting that may be needed as assurance for (potential) lenders.
8:25 PM Board voted all in favor to recommend Corey Burnham-Howard and Lisa Drexhage to continue as alternative PB members for the coming year. The appointment is approved by the Selectboard and John M. will forward a note of recommendation.
Group discussed Community Planning Grant from state OHCD which funds services from CMRPC. The town’s Master Plan from 2007 needs updating. CMRPC can help with sections including open space, housing land use, transportation. John M. distributed cover sheets and index from the 2007 Master Plan and advised the group to review the original Master Plan and see the Summary on the town website, and ascertain what needs--or doesn’t need--to be changed/updated.
John M. outlined several possible projects for FY’22. Solar generation has been an issue and solar farms could be encouraged and managed with creation of a zoning overlay district. The group sees a need for more acreage dedicated to business uses, and the possibility of changing land in R-A zoning in certain locations to Business. Another approach is to limit Business or Industrial zones to those uses only and prohibit Residential development, as current zoning allows cumulative uses and housing has eaten up the business/industrial districts in town. Another recurring need in Princeton is for affordable housing, especially for senior citizens.
9 PM Board voted all in favor to approve regular meeting minutes of May 6.
9:05 PM. Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Marie Auger, land use coordinator
Next meeting: June 16, 2021
Referenced Documents: ANR plan and Form A from Bob Peura; cover sheets and index from 2007 Master Plan.