Information for Meeting of Board of Planning and Community Development
Wednesday October 05, 2022 7:00 PM EDT

I. Call to Order

II. Approval of September 7, 2022 Meeting Minutes

III. 7:10PM Public Hearing on proposed amendments to the Athol Zoning Bylaw (all BPCD Sponsored):

a)	A series of amendments to address a number of comments identified by the Mass. Attorney General’s Office (AGO) as part of their review of the Marijuana Zoning Bylaw changes that were approved at the October 2021 Town Meeting (consolidation of both marijuana and recreational marijuana into a single Section 3.26, Licensed Marijuana Establishment). The AGO is requiring the Town to correct the definition of Marijuana Processing and how to measure distances between Marijuana Establishments and the identified Schools and Parks within Section 3.26.3.1 to reflect the same standards as in the governing Cannabis Control Commission regulations.  In addition, within Section 1.2, Board of Appeals, and Section 1.3, Board of Planning and Community Development, the process for any Special Permit application to be filed with the respective boards shall be through submission to the Town Clerk’s Office in accordance with MGL Chapter 40A and the Town needs to amend Section 1.2.6.13 and Section 1.3.4, respectively, to correctly align our zoning with MGL Chapter 40A. Finally, the last amendment corrects a Scribner’s error in Section 3.26.3.1.a to remove an extra “or” in the existing text.   

b)	A proposed new Section 3.1.5, Intention of Districts, to the Athol Zoning Bylaw.  The new Section provides a summary and introduction to each of the Athol Zoning Districts.  Similar language is sometimes found in other communities' zoning bylaws and is another way to make the zoning bylaw more customer friendly.

c)	A first proposed Zoning Map amendment, as referenced in Section 2.1.3, to a series of parcels in the vicinity of South Main Street. The first geographic area targets South Main Street from the Millers River Bridge up to the area of 392 South Main Street.  The proposed zoning district amendments address a number of split-zoned parcels in this area by placing them in a single zoning district (General Commercial). In addition, it proposes to rezone the property of a number of existing commercial establishments in this area such as Country Convenience; the building that includes Village Pizza, and Athol Rental Center; and Dale's Towing that are all currently zoned as Residential-A to be included in the General Commercial Zoning District.

d)	A second proposed Zoning Map amendment, as referenced in Section 2.1.3, to a series of parcels in the vicinity of South Main Street.  The second geographic area addresses a number of large, mostly vacant parcels that are split between commercial and residential zoning on the northerly side of South Main Street from the property known as the Ledges Greenhouse and easterly of Brickyard Road.  To make the new General Commercial Zoning District more cohesive a number of parcels along the north side of South Main Street are proposed to be rezoned from Residential-C to General Commercial.

IV. New Business:

a)	Planning Board Review of The Re-Layout of Coolidge Parkway per MGL Ch. 41, Sect. 81I (see Article 5 on October 17, 2022 Town Meeting Warrant)
b)	Warrant Article Review and Vote to recommend or not to recommend the following articles for matters concerning the physical, economic, and environmental development of the Town for the October 17, 2022 Annual Town Meeting Warrant: Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
c)	Request for a Licensed Marijuana Establishment Special Permit Approval Decision Extension by Uma Cultivation. LLC for an adult use marijuana cultivation and processing establishment at property located at 706 Petersham Road, Athol, MA (Map 46 Parcel 45). Approval was granted on December 2, 2020, which is valid for two years unless extension requested by Applicant and granted by BPCD based on good cause determination.

V. Anticipated Upcoming Meetings: Topics for next regular committee meeting date (Wednesday, November 2, 2022) discussed: public hearings for potential new permit applications and other topics planned for discussion. Board discussion on potential for alternative meeting location from Room #21 over the winter months (e.g. Virtual, via Zoom or at a larger meeting venue as needed).

VI. Adjournment