Dickinson Museum Improvements Reviewed. Maurianne Adams Remembered.

Report on Meeting of the Planning Board (10/21/20)

The meeting was held via Zoom webinar and was simulcast on Amherst Media Channel 17. The meeting recording can be viewed here. 

Participating: Chair Jack Jemsek. Members Maria Chao, Janet McGowan, Doug Marshall, Andrew MacDougall, Thom Long, and Johanna Neumann.

Staff: Town Planner Chris Brestrup and Assistant Pam Field Sadler

Emily Dickinson Museum
The Planning Board began discussion of a site plan review for the Dickinson Museum. Museum Director Jane Wald presented the proposal along with landscape architects Selene Weber and Martha Lyon. The plan involves redoing the path between the Emily Dickinson House and the Evergreens, and providing lighting along it. There are also plans to light both houses until 10 p.m. seven days a week. 

The architects stressed the intent to shine the lights on the buildings, not into the surrounding neighborhood. Lights will be on granite posts, as well as on the buildings, in the trees (to light the second stories), and on tree trunks (to light the path). A mockup of the proposed lighting is currently set up on the south and west side of the Emily Dickinson homestead.

Most members of the Planning Board participated in the site visit and had several questions about the proposal, mostly concerning the lighting design and the effect of the extra lights on the neighborhood. The security lighting at the back of the property will be lit all night. Brestrup said that abutters had been notified and none had responded. 

MacDougall asked if there are properties downtown with similar lighting. Brestrup thought that Grace Church, St. Brigid’s Church, the Unitarian Universalist Society, and the Inn at Boltwood have some nighttime lighting. Maria Chao said she thinks the Dickinson property should be considered more as a monument than a commercial enterprise, but still wants to make sure the light does not spill into neighboring properties.

Town Councilor Dorothy Pam (District 3) spoke favorably about the plan, saying it makes for a nicer town to see these iconic buildings lit up.

Brestrup pointed out that the Local Historic Commission will be making its recommendation on the project on Monday, October 26. The Planning Board voted to continue its hearing until November 4 at 6:35 p.m. in order to receive input from the Commission.

Applebrook Subdivision
Attorney Tom Reidy of Bacon Wilson law firm returned to the Planning Board on behalf of the Applebrook Cluster Subdivision, also known as Hartwell Farms, located across from Atkins Farm. He requested the release of Lot 4, which is currently being withheld from sale until the roads are completed. Reidy said that the developer has an agreement to sell lot 4 to the builder, and the closing is scheduled on November 9. There is a contract with the paving company to begin finishing the roads on October 30. 

Marshall suggested inspecting the roads in early November to assure they are completed and bringing the matter back at the November 4 meeting. McGowan noted that excavating equipment is already on lot 4 in preparation to begin building there. Brestrup said that the best recourse is to change the hold to the only unsold lot, which is lot 2.  Lot 4  currently cannot be sold until the developer completes the roads in the subdivision or the Planning Board removes the hold.  The Planning Board unanimously agreed to change the hold to the only unsold lot, that is, lot 2.

Cortland Drive
There was a proposal to divide one lot into two on Cortland Drive. Town Engineer Jason Skeels requested a change in the lot line to show the sewer easement. This was done, and the motion was approved unanimously

Tribute to Maurianne Adams
Planning Board members paid tribute to Maurianne Adams, who died on October 6.  Jemsek noted that Maurianne attended many Town Meetings over the years and was passionate about planning and zoning.

Brestrup added that Adams was a longtime activist and had followed the Planning Board closely. She was passionate about zoning, especially in neighborhoods. She helped found the Lincoln Sunset local historic district and was a member of the Local Historic District Commission. “We will miss her,” Bestrup said.

McGowan said she had met Adams through her attendance at the Zoning Subcommittee meetings. “Adams had an eloquent way of speaking and a talent for bringing others into conversation. We can honor her by including people who are affected by Planning Board decisions into [Planning Board] the discussions,” she said.

Article 14 Temporary Zoning
The Planning Department has recommended extending and expanding the expedited temporary zoning article that permits businesses to increase their outdoor services. The Governor’s order allows existing restaurants to operate on sidewalks or streets until 60 days after the end of the COVID emergency. The six-month Amherst zoning article will expire on December 16. The Planning Department wants to extend the deadline to at least December 31, 2021 and to increase the number of allowable uses, adding medical services that are located in Office Park and Professional Research Park zones. Also, the planners want to include temporary structures, such as tents and farm stands. If the article passes, these uses can be approved administratively, without having to go through the usual review process.

A public forum about the article is scheduled for November 4 at 8 p.m in conjunction with the Town Council’s Community Resource Committee (CRC). McGowan said she wants to make sure that abutters are notified of this discussion because the extension and the addition of other temporary structures might influence neighboring businesses and residents. Building Commissioner Rob Morra and Brestrup are coordinating issuance of permits and will make sure that all temporary structures are dismantled when they are no longer needed.

Amherst Hills Update
Brestrup updated the Board about the awaited completion of roads in  Amherst Hills. Developer, Tofino, claims that he does not have the funds to finish the roads without selling the lots that are being held to assure completion of said roads.  He is going forward with a lawsuit against residents of the subdivision. The Conservation Commission has hired a third party to map vernal pools there to guide the final work on the roads.

The Department of Public Works is not sure they can commit to plowing the roads in their current condition. Brestrup will keep the Board informed about any developments in this matter.

40R Smart Growth Overlay Zoning
Jemsek suggested that the Planning Board hold a discussion on the pros and cons of the proposed 40R overlay zoning after the public forum on October 14 . Proponents of this type of zoning claim that it would make it easier to build more housing downtown and would provide incentives for building affordable housing. He suggested that the original proponents of imposing 40R overlay zoning, former Planning Board member Rob Crowner and Housing Trust Chair John Hornik, join the Planning Board’s discussion. 

Jemsek said that he was favorably disposed to the proposal since the town has a housing crisis and the downtown has a business crisis and 40R addresses both.

Marshall said he didn’t see that much has changed in the consultants’ latest proposal, except for some decrease in building sizes in outlying areas of downtown, and that he still sees shortcomings in the proposal. McGowan agreed and said that the Planning Board should see the consultants’ final report before further discussion

Brestrup pointed out that the Planning Board does not have to accept the entire proposal or apply new regulations to the entire downtown area.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m.