BERNARDSTON — The Planning Board is proposing minor changes to the zoning bylaws, and is giving residents the chance to weigh in during a public hearing Thursday at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.
According to Planning Board Chairwoman Christina Wysk, four proposed changes will better outline what the board expects from residents, clear up language and bring the bylaws in line with state laws.
“This is really just to make things a little more defined because we didn’t feel comfortable with the way they were in the bylaws,” Wysk said.
Last April, Wysk said, the board began updating the bylaws to define large-scale, ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installations. Under the edited bylaws, such installations between one and five acres large would be allowed by right in the business district, industrial district and expedited permitting district (EPD). A special permit would be required for equivalent installations in the center village, residential agricultural (R/A) and residence/one-acre (R1) districts.
Wysk continued that any installation under an acre would go through a regular building permit process, and anything larger than five acres would require a special permit in all districts. All installations will require a site plan review.
“We’re just fixing it so it’s a little more clear to people what we expect,” she said, adding, “Anything big, that’s going to take up a lot of property, property abutters should have the right to come and say ‘I’m going to have to look at that out my window.’”
Given the increased emphasis in the bylaws surrounding large scale ground mounted solar photovoltaic installations, Wysk said the board hopes to delete a line concerning solar electric generating facilities, which she feels is unnecessary.
Another edit involves writing out “medical marijuana treatment centers” instead of using the acronym MMTC so readers will better understand the bylaws.
“It’s just some housekeeping on the wording,” Wysk said.
Lastly, Wysk said the board plans to change the expiration on special permits. According to Wysk, the standard amount of time before a special permit lapses in Massachusetts is 36 months. By contrast, under Bernardston’s bylaws, a special permit expires 24 months after being issued if the permit holder fails to start the project. The board plans to bring the bylaw in line with state laws.
After factoring in feedback received at the hearing, Wysk said the board will draft an article to put on the annual town meeting warrant outlining the changes. Residents will vote on the article during annual town meeting on April 26, and if approved, Wysk said Town Clerk Paul Luther will submit the bylaws’ changes for approval by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Reach Shelby Ashline at:
sashline@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 257.