NOTES OF NOVEMBER 18, 2014 RYE PLANNING BOARD,
RULES AND REGULATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
Final Revision C – Provided by the Rye Civic League
Present from Planning Board: Bill Epperson, Keriann Roman.
Present from the Town: Kim Reed, Planning Administrator
Present from the public: Peter Crawford
Editor’s note: For ease in finding particular sections using the archived video and audio on Vimeo, the elapsed time is indicated. Use the slider and the elapsed time indicated at the bottom of the video window to fast forward to the desired section. The video is available at https://vimeo.com/11238974/
Summary
- A number of Zoning amendments are scheduled for hearing on December 9. Others need to first be discussed by the Planning Board.
- Several amendments are tabled to 2016 or later, including storm water, lobster trap restriction requested by Selectman Mills, freeboard, seasonal unit and Harbor Rd. re-zoning.
- Septic systems and possible sewer expansion are discussed.
- Subcommittee debates whether electronic copies of proposed amendments should be available to the public
4:35 Impervious and lighting to be discussed at Planning Board
5:00 Ms. Reed says Floodplain, Lighting, and correction to Wetland Buffer amendments have been noticed to paper and set for public hearing Dec 9. Attorney Donovan to respond to Impervious.
9:20 Discussion of storm water and EPA MS4 permit by Ms. Reed. Apparently Feb. for issue of permit, so Reed suggested waiting.
10:05 Selectman Mills, through Town Administrator Magnant, suggests amendment on storage of lobster traps. Tabled.
11:35 Freeboard: Rye reapplying for CRS (Community Rating Systems). Reed suggests not dealing with Freeboard. CRS asks for it but will open can of worms.
13:15 Seasonal units on Cable. From Building Inspector Peter Rowell. Epperson expresses concern about units not insulated or heated. Called enforcement and code issue.
15:15 Re-zone Harbor Road. Re-zone from business to residential 4 lots former Saunders Restaurant. Assessor asked for last year. There was opposition. Don’t change now, says Roman. No practical effect as no one would operate a business on such expensive land. Epperson says should not change from one to another. Roman: Saunders was formerly a type of spot zoning. Agreed to consider in 2016.
29:20. Marijuana dispensary. HB 573 (bill did not pass) would have allowed opening of alternative treatment facilities. Epperson allowed uses can be controlled. Reed same as tattoo parlors not being allowed near schools. Yet by not calling out shouldn’t be tacit approval.
22:50. Master Plan. Regular. Reed holds off as there will be a chapter on climate change. Epperson smaller chunks on MP. Anne Crotty would be good for Long Range Planning. Epperson asks whether funds can be accrued. Don’t want a crunch. 3 years to do 6-8 months worth of work. Reed states it was because of Mel Low.
25:45 Septic systems. PB now requiring high tech. Example: South Road. Aquifer District amendment: high tech now required.
26:50 Parsons for septics not feasible with rising seas? Phase 2 grant.
27:40 Look at sewer. Epperson Stinky Creek polluted since 1950s .
29:00 Discussion of potential EPA Mandate.
29:25 Septic approvals. State requirements for accessory apartments. DES letter on accessory apartments and septics. ZBA can hold up. PB not? Bathrooms and square footage 600 min vs. 1200. 600 one person, so on. 2000 square feet. Washington Road. Already illegal apartment, another apartment in house. Table until 2016.
35:45 Back to Harbor Rd. Roman finds e-mail describing issue. Someone is challenging taxes as business zoned nearby (apparently a new home where Saunders was) and this could affect values.
37:20 Electronic redline drafts of zoning amendments. Question from Peter Crawford. Epperson says Attorney Donovan doesn’t want redlines distributed. Roman questions whether drafts are subject to the Right-to-Know law. Roman expresses concerns regarding first edits including “metadata.” She suggests that writing on paper copies may be a possible solution.
41:30 Reed says that paper copies could be purchased.
42:35 Adjourn
