Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
01-03-2024 Minutes
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Source page 1
TOWN OF CANTON PLANNING BOARD WEDNESDAY, January 3, 2024 Present: Patricia McDermott, Chair David McCarthy, Vice Chair Kathy McCormack Jim Quigley, Member Bob MacDonald, Interim Member Chair McDermott called to order the Planning Board Meeting of January 3, 2024 at 6:oo p.m. A motion was made by Chair McDermott seconded Ms. McCormack to open the public meeting of January 3, 2024. All in Favor, Motion Approved 5-0. Chair McDermott welcomed everyone to the Planning Board meeting. A motion was made Chair McDermott and seconded by Mr. McCarthy to go into Executive Session. All in favor, Motion Approved 4-0. 6:oo p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board returning to the public hearing of January 3, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m. SCHEDULED HEARINGS — 6:30 p.m. Next Item on the Agenda (1) Discussion with Town Planner, T.J. Torres, regarding all Zoning Articles to be presented at ATM 2024 Mr. Torres explained that there will be 5 or 6 Articles for Town Meeting 24 and the warrant closes this week, so he would like to go over them with the Board. • The simplest Article is the Flood Zone Maps. This needs to be accepted by FEMA and this is being reviewed by Town Counsel; • Business & Central Zones on the zoning map are shown in the same color and need to be shown with separate colors. This is just a house -keeping article to correct his error; • The next few articles are the Canton Junction Overlay District and have been worked on by Mr. Walsh, Mr. Pando, Chair McDermott, and T.J. These were revised with Mr. Pando's suggestions and keeping in line with state guidelines. Mr. McCarthy questioned the change and why do we have to be in alignment with the state. He requested background information before we have the hearing. Planning Board Minutes January 3, 2024 Page 1 of 3
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The Table of Dimensions (amending Article 4), there were questions with the "projections"
paragraph and the wording of "entry hall" ("shall not be enclosed") These definitions need
clarification, including what "entry" means. He will talk with Ed and clear this up.
• Section 8.2. Mr. McCarthy questioned why it is being removed. This was a discussion
with the MBTA overlay and the whole Town regarding five (5) acres; and
• The Downtown Use Study: this is protecting residential and combining wording. This
can be left alone if the principal use is "repetitive". This is allowed by right — the
square footage of the lot area.
Mr. McCarthy does not think this should be removed. Mr. Torres explained that this creates
more flexibility with review. He will also check the definition of cultural use, including
theatres, which Zoning floats and delineates the uses. He says yes to a theatre and specific
cultural uses. He also needed clarity on "private clubs".
In the table of use there were a few changes from Select Board to Board of Appeals. These
changes were made because the Select Board didn't know about the change where they were
responsible.
Mr. McCarthy had concerns with the sudden change with what Board is responsible.
Section 7.2 was eliminated. They are making everything consistent and child care was listed
twice, so one was removed. Mr. Torres will make the final revisions and get them back to the
Board.
Canton Junction, Section 9.3 was discussed. The purpose of this is:
* Purpose. The purpose of the Canton Junction Overlay District (CJOD) is to allow for and
encourage the production of transit -oriented housing in walkable proximity to Canton's
Commuter Rail stations, and in accordance with Section 3A of the Zoning Act (Massachusetts
General Laws Chapter VA).
* Affordable unit. A multi -family housing unit that is subject to a use restriction recorded in
its chain of title limiting the sale price or rent or limiting occupancy to an individual or
household of a specified income, or both.
* Area Median Income (AMI). The median family income for the metropolitan statistical
region that includes the Town of Canton, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD).
* As of Right. Development that may proceed under the Zoning in place at time of
application without the need for a special permit, variance, zoning amendment, waiver, or
other discretionary zoning approval.
The Working Group came up with the wording for this Article. There will be no more than
twenty (20) units per acre and to% will be affordable housing & ro% will be workforce
housing.
Planning Board Minutes January 3, 2024 Page 2 of 3