MARSHFIELD DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

Approved Minutes of March 3, 2005

Board Members present: James Arisman, Tom Daley, Jon Groveman, Martin Johnson and Gary Wilson. Also attending: David Rogers.

Meeting opened at 7:03 pm. David Rogers wanted some clarification from the Board regarding the zoning status of his subdivision of the Sydney Rogers homestead in Marshfield Village. On July 8, 2004 the Board approved a plan to divide the property into three parcels, on condition that, on or before the time of filing the required plat with the Marshfield Land Records, he also record permanent right-of-way easements to the two resulting lots that would not have frontage on the public road. He did meet the six-month statutory deadline for filing the plat, but the Board found that the easement deeds he filed were not sufficient to meet the conditions of the permit. David now would like to know if, should he eventually file sufficient easements for the property, the Board would consider his permit valid — or, having not perfected his permit by the original deadline, he would have to reapply for the subdivision project.

            Jon explained for the Board that, because David filed the subdivision map within the time limit required by state law, the Board has no need — and probably no authority — to withdraw the subdivision approval it has already issued. Because he has not met other conditions of the permit, however, he is in violation of that permit, and will remain so until he provides rights-of-way to the property that will meet the permit requirements. If and when he does provide sufficient access easements, the DRB will sign the subdivision map on record, signifying that the project as filed conforms to the approval the Board issued in July.  

At 7:20 the DRB reviewed an application for Conditional Use/Site Plan approval filed by Verizon New England. This telephone company wants to install a metal utility cabinet on the property of Jean Codling on Maple Hill Road. This is a revision of a plan the Board had denied last November. The Board found the new application to be complete, and has set a public hearing for Thursday, April 7, 2005 at 7:00 pm. Jon will instruct the applicant to notify all adjoining landowners of this hearing.

Discussion then moved to several topics of general concern to the DRB. The three members who had attended the Planning Commission hearing of February 24 shared their impressions of the work the Commission would be doing to revise the Zoning Regulations, including those changes required by the recent overhaul of the State’s zoning laws. Tom pointed out the specific requirements in the new state law for notifying adjoining landowners of public hearings on zoning matters. He suggested the DRB create a standard form for this purpose, which applicants can fill out, copy, and issue to their neighbors when they have a hearing scheduled. Martin reported that he and Zoning Administrator Bob Light would be attending the next Select Board meeting to pursue further agreement on a process by which the Town can avail itself of reliable engineering and other technical expertise for the development projects that come before it.

Tom reported that he had issued a Subdivision Permit to Paul Bishop and Kathleen Moore for the property they own jointly with Larry Gordon, Patricia Cuyler, Lynnette Combs and Ed Jalbert. The permit was approved unanimously, and issued on February 9, 2005.

At 7:58 Martin moved to approve the minutes of February 3, 2005 as drafted; seconded by James, all in favor. Martin then moved to adjourn the DRB meeting. Seconded by Jon, all in favor.

                                                                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                                        Tom Daley