Information for Meeting of Board of Planning and Community Development
Wednesday June 01, 2022 7:00 PM EDT

I. 	Call to Order

II.	Approval of May 4, 2022 Meeting Minutes

III.	Approval Not Required (ANR) Plans:
a. Kevin J. Mack, et. al., Trustees, KJ Mack Realty Trust property located at 146 Main Street (Map 30 Parcel 12)
b. Richard D. Godin property located at 2406 Petersham Road (Map 56 Parcel 37)
     
IV.	7:10PM Public Hearing on proposed amendments to the Athol Zoning Bylaw (all BPCD Sponsored):
a.	Amendment to Section 2.1.3, for the Town of Athol to adopt a new Zoning Map reflecting passage of Articles 8 and 9 at the October 18, 2021 Fall Town Meeting that expanded the Central Commercial Zoning District in Downtown Athol (Article 8), plus re-zoning of a series of parcels between Walnut Street and Main Street so as to eliminate a number of lots that are currently split into either General Commercial or the Residential A Zoning Districts (Article 9).  This zoning amendment language is required to update the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Athol.

b.	Amendment to Section 3.30, Battery Energy Storage Systems, that was approved at the October 19, 2020 Town Meeting. The amendments would address a number of comments identified by the Mass. Attorney General’s Office as part of their approval of the Battery Energy Storage Systems Zoning Bylaw, as well as comments identified by an Athol Town Meeting Voter at the October 18, 2021 Town Meeting.  The amendments would allow for new distribution power line-level tier subject to a Special Permit. The last significant change would exempt Tier 1 systems (those designed for individual residences) from zoning, but they would still be required to obtain a Building, Fire Safety, and Electrical Permit. Except that no permits would be required for any battery energy storage systems under 20kWh daily or 600 kWh monthly in electricity storage, which is consistent with the updated Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Code.

V.	Other New Business:  
a.	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 June 13, 2022 Annual Town Meeting Warrant: Articles 20, 22, 24, 28, 29, and 30.
b.      Continued discussion of potential 2022 Zoning Bylaw Amendments and Work Plan
c.      MRPC BPCD Appointment for FY 2023

VI.	Anticipated Upcoming Meetings: Topics for next regular committee meeting date (Wednesday, July 6, 2022) discussed: public hearings for potential new permit applications plus other topics planned for discussion. Board discussion on potential for alternative meeting location from Room #21 (e.g. Virtual, via Zoom or at a larger meeting venue as needed).   

VII. 	Adjournment