01/18/2023 PLANNING BOARD Minutes (2)

Home Browse Search

16 Great Neck RoadNorth wlashyee, -Massachusetts oz649 proposal is a modification of what was proposed last summer. Staff are contemplating a robust education and engagement strategy to garner support, and make sure there is awareness to operations and impacts to allow for informed decision making. As the deadline for this upcoming Town Meeting is approaching, he is getting feedback that people don't want to wait until October. The fill proposition is being presented to the Board in the form of a zoning bylaw, that would be submitted by the Planning Board, presented to the Select Board, placed on the warrant, and would need a 2/3 majority vote at the subsequent Town Meeting. Education and engagement is a crucial component of success. Relative to process and time, he has been looking at what framework these regulations will live in. He contemplated with the Conservation Director and the Health Agent for additional strategies or other approaches that could be taken. Fill is being presented as a zoning bylaw, but does not necessarily have to live in the zoning bylaw. He invited Drew McManus here to help explain how this item could be moved more expeditiously for October, but allows for education engagements. Alternatively, these could be presented as regulatory modifications promulgated independently by the Conservation Commission and the Board of Health, who can do this within a public meeting without necessitating the need for a Town Meeting vote. He would not suggest this pathway without it being appropriately married to the community engagement piece that was previously defined. - Floodplain Development Zoning Drew McManus, Conservation Agent, explained under the Chapter 172 Mashpee Wetland Bylaw, there are regulations that deal with all manner of wetland resource areas, coastal and inland, and land subject to coastal storm flow. That last term relates to the 100 year flood plain Velocity Zone, A zone, AE zone, but does not include the X zone. There is no buffer zone attached under the regulations. All other wetlands have 100ft buffer zone. Under the town's authority, the Commission is empowered to make amendments and changes to edit regulations, as long as it falls under the scope of the bylaw. When it comes to the issue of fill in the flood zone, the Commission could take this avenue as they have jurisdictional authority over all areas of the 100 year flood plain. This could be picked up through the Public Meeting process. They have an advisory bylaw review subcommittee, which represents less than a quorum, and their purpose is to discuss each regulation for updates. This could be brought before the subcommittee, the process would involve Town Counsel, once a draft is established it would go to the Conservation Commission in a Public Meeting, appear on the agenda, and take the subcommittee's recommendation. The following meeting would hold an advertised Public Comment on these proposed regulatory changes. Regulations in draft form would be posted on the website, copies would be provided, and 100% transparency for awareness and outreach is key. Based on the outcome, there may be another meeting of the subcommittee for further amendments, and finally advertising for a promulgation of the final draft of the regulation. 10