04/21/2021 PLANNING BOARD Minutes

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Attorney Cox indicated that she was not planning on a formal presentation this evening but wanted to provide an introduction and to make a procedural request of the Board. She referred to her letter dated April 14, 2021 which identified one of the proposed elements of the development agreement. This proposed amendment to the Mashpee Zoning Bylaw through the creation of a proposed zoning overlay district is being referred to as the Community Activity Center Overlay District. The Cape Cod Commission designated the land in 2018 as a Community Activity Center and one of the regions eight Community Activity Centers. A Community Activity Center as defined by the Commission is an area with a concentration of business and community activity in a compact built environment. The subject site does meet these qualifications and has the potential for further expansion. Included with the letter is a document which provides a summary of the vision for the proposed zoning which would overlay about 187 acres that is the subject of the development agreement application. Attorney Cox reported a draft of the proposed zoning overlay is in process and felt that at this point it would be helpful for the Planning Board to appoint two board members who would be available to meet with the Mashpee Commons group as well as the Town Planner all at public meetings in accordance with the Open Meeting Law to engage in detailed discussion about proposed language and concept of the zoning overlay. She explained that this group would be a working group created to meet in between Planning Board meetings if needed. She emphasized that the zoning would be reviewed and discussed before the full Planning Board including at public hearings as the development agreement progresses. There will be full public hearings as the process moves forward. There would be regular meetings with the Town Planner and the Cape Cod Commission staff to create a framework for the review and the public hearing process for the development agreement application. They expect by mid-May to report the framework to the Planning Board and to formally request that the Town convene its team to coordinate the scheduling of the public meetings and hearings regarding the proposed development agreement application. This would be the regions first three parry development agreement which will involve a lot of coordination. She expressed the desire to collaborate with the Town,the Planning Board and The Cape Cod Commission. Attorney Cox reiterated that the request before the Planning Board this evening is to appoint two members of the Planning Board to the creation of a zoning working group to enable a more direct and focused discussion on the proposed zoning which is a key element of the development agreement. She concluded by stating that this is a procedural step of a very public process. Chair Phelan thanked Attorney Cox for the presentation and stated that he also viewed this as a collaboration. He inquired of Attorney Cox what the anticipated schedule would be for those members of the board that would be appointed. She responded that these dates have not been worked out yet but when she reports back to the Board in May, she would present a schedule of public meetings and hearings for the development agreement application after conferring with the Town Planner. Attorney Cox stated that if this zoning working group is created they would like to have the ability to have these appointed members at the public meetings. She anticipated that these meetings would commence in the very near future. 2