2002 Planning Board Joint Session with Conservation Commission MinutesKen Jodrie opened the PB meeting at 6:40 PM, with the first hour of the meeting being a joint
meeting with the Conservation Commission. Planning Board members present: Ken Jodrie, Julie
Hookes-Davis, Paul Diemand, Paul Voss, Frandy Johnson, George Kohout, Keith Wilson
present. OPD Staff present: Wayne Feiden, Carolyn Misch, and (until 7:30 PM) Gloria
McPherson.
The boards viewed a video on flooding in the Northampton meadows and downtown, which was
produced using a grant the Office of Planning and Development received to produce a floodplain
mitigation plan. The boards had a discussion on the current rules for development in the
floodplain and what changes are necessary to limit development in environmentally sensitive
areas of the floodplain.
The boards then moved onto a joint discussion on how the current Farms Forests and Rivers
(FFR) overlay zoning could be expanded to preserve highly sensitive environmental resources,
as originally recommended in the Vision 2020—Vision and Consistency Analysis. The boards
talked about allowing some development rights to be transferred away from FFR properties, in
return for preserving those properties, and what were the options as to where those rights could
be transferred.
The Conservation Commission and the Planning Board agreed to have future discussions on 1)
Farms Forests and Rivers zoning overlay, 2) floodplain management, 3) holding joint public
hearings on permit applications that are before both boards, 4) zoning landscaping requirements.
The Conservation Commission adjourned their meeting at 7:30 PM.
The Planning Board then discussed proposed new zoning lighting standards and made some
specific suggestions for changes.
The Planning Board briefly discussed the OPD Self-Study and expressed and interest in being
involved, including being involved with examining board functions.
The Planning Board briefly discussed the Mill River restoration project and how it can help
create a high quality water-based recreation feature and economic development opportunities.
Staff explained that we are now focusing on hazardous releases, if any, and the entire project
may take twenty years.
The Planning Board authorized a reduction in the letter of credit for the Plantations at West
Farms project, based on a motion by Frandy and second by Paul and a unanimous vote of the PB.
The board adjourned at 9:05 PM.