Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments

Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments for ATM 2020

Public Hearing Notice for 1/6/20 Planning Board meeting: HERE 

Pursuant to the provisions of MGL ch. 40A §5, the Medfield Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 8:05 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2020, at the Medfield Town House, 459 Main Street, for the purpose of accepting public comments on the following proposed amendments to the Town of Medfield Zoning By-laws:

Item 1: To see if the Town of Medfield will vote to rezone parcel ID 43-030, 37 Janes Avenue from Business-Industrial (BI) to Business (B) as shown on the map titled “Proposed Rezone of 37 Janes Avenue” dated 6/3/19 which is on file with the Town Clerk and Planning Department; and to amend the Zoning Map accordingly. This amendment rezones one residential use parcel located in the BI zoning district to the B zoning district. The property is contiguous with B zoning. B zoning provides for the ability to apply for a special permit from the ZBA for an accessory apartment. BI does not.

Item 2: To see if the Town of Medfield will vote to amend the Medfield Town Code Chapter 300 Zoning Attachment 1 Table of Use Regulations, by adding the new section “Adult-only retail tobacco store” And further, to see if the Town of Medfield will vote to amend the Medfield Town Code Chapter 300 Article 2.1, by adding the definition for “Adult-only retail tobacco store” in appropriate alphabetical order. This new language would prohibit establishments from solely selling vape and tobacco products and paraphernalia in Medfield.

Item 3: To see if the Town of Medfield will vote to amend the Medfield Town Code Chapter 300 Zoning Attachment 1 Table of Use Regulations, by adding a new section for “Food Trucks / Mobile Food Vendors” which would allow the non-permanent placement of food trucks / mobile food vendors on private property in certain zoning districts via a Determination of Change of Use per Section 300-14.12 A (Site Plan Approval) by the Planning Board. Determinations will be made based on review the impacts of such use, hours of operation, proposed location(s), noise, odors, traffic, circulation, parking, trash/waste, seating, access to facilities, signage, permission from property owner, etc. Special town-wide events, mobile food sales in the Right-of-Way, or catering of private parties in residential zoning districts are not affected by this bylaw. Mobile food vendors may also require approvals by the Board of Selectmen and/or Board of Health.

Item 4: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town Code of Medfield, MA, Chapter 300, Zoning, Article 6 Area, Height and Bulk Regulations, Paragraph 6.2 Area Regulations by adding a new subsection 4 which would add a section which would allow the Board of Appeals to review and approve, on a case-by-case basis, the encroachment of decks, porches, etc., into the required setback. The current process requires a variance which has strict statutory requirements which cannot typically be lawfully applied since most deck or porch extensions are for more functional and subjective proposes.

Item 5: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town Code of Medfield, MA, Chapter 300, Zoning, Article 6 Area, Height and Bulk Regulations, Paragraph 6.2 Area Regulations K to align with the provisions of the MA State Building Code which do not require a building permit for accessory structures (i.e. sheds) under 200 sf and delete the confusing specific size requirement. This amendment would require a building permit and code review for accessory structures but leave the setback requirements as-is. 

Item 6: To see if the Town of Medfield will vote to amend the Medfield Town Code Chapter 300 Zoning Attachment 1 Table of Use Regulations, by adding a new section for “Rooftop PV on permitted primary and accessory structures” and a new Article 21 for rooftop solar panels and PV parking canopies.

All interested persons should attend the public hearing. A copy of the proposals is on file with the Town Clerk and Planning Department, and may be inspected during regular business hours.

SARAH LEMKE, CHAIR

MEDFIELD PLANNING BOARD

THE PRESS                      

December 13, 2019

December 20, 2019