5/16/2018 PLANNING BOARD Minutes

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Mr. Lehrer stated that Mashpee Commons requested that discussion be tabled but the Chair responded she would not table the discussion. Board members were in agreement that there was a lot to discuss and that it would be necessary to know the Town's needs. Mr. Lehrer pointed out that the Board needed to see their proposal. Referencing Mr. Almeida's experience, Mr. Weeden suggested that Westerly was more urban with commercial development similar to Hyannis or Falmouth, rather than Mashpee, Mr. Weeden expressed concern that Mashpee Commons was bringing consultants from urban areas to encourage urban growth and building higher. New England towns had been built on mom and pop stores, more deeply invested in the community, while Mashpee Commons featured corporate chain stores, places where residents may not be able to shop. Mr. Weeden felt Mashpee Commons designed well, but that it was more suited for Falmouth or Hyannis, adding that Mashpee had experienced many changes over the last 20 years. Mr. Weeden expressed concern about developers influencing zoning in order to accommodate their desire to build, and questioned how it would change the character of the Town. Mr. Weeden expressed concern about traffic patterns in Mashpee should 1,500 units of housing be built, along with the redesign of the rotary, additional traffic lights and increased seasonal traffic. Mr. Weeden also expressed concern regarding the state of the rivers in Mashpee, already battling nitrogen loads and emphasizing that the rivers provided life to the Tribe long before development. The Chair inquired whether Tribal Natural Resources could assist the Planning Board with understanding protection of the rivers. Mr. Weeden suggested that Chuckie Green from Natural Resources could provide insight. Mr. Balzarini noted that the State would control plans at the rotary. Mr. Lehrer confirmed that Mashpee Commons would identify their best thoughts for the most functional plan and would be meeting with MassDOT during the summer. Mr. Hansen stated that he had attended some of the public sessions. When Mr. Hansen inquired about 40B, what they would do for the Town and how they would fulfill their commitments, Mashpee Commons avoided answering Mr. Hansen's questions. The Chair opened the meeting to public comment. Resident Margery Hecht attended planning sessions and expressed her opinion that their plans would drastically change the character of Mashpee, and asked that Mashpee Commons not be given carte blanche to do what they want. If projects were to be outside of 40B, it was Ms. Hecht's opinion that each project be evaluated on its own. Mashpee Commons may make money from the development but residents would suffer the consequences of the development. Ms. Hecht stated that she moved to Mashpee due to its small town feel, ocean, beautiful conservation areas and heritage. Ms. Hecht pointed out that the Cape was an island with a tipping point and inquired how much more development residents would want to see. Ms. Hecht reviewed a 1988 report that identified 6,000 new vehicle trips per day at Mashpee Commons and questioned its status at this time. What was the traffic count, what was the air quality? Ms. Hecht stated that she was currently unable to take a left turn onto Route 151 to get into town during the summer. Ms. Hecht also stated that affordable housing was needed and noted that the Planning Board had a responsibility to the residents of Mashpee, and not money for the Town. Board members encouraged Ms. Hecht to attend future meetings. The Chair stated that the Mashpee Commons team was attending an urbanism conference. Mr. Lehrer clarified that urbanism was a technical term, not necessarily related to high density, but a pattern of development based on the way people interact with the built environment. The Chair stated that more education was needed regarding planning word usage. 3