DESCRIPTION OF PLANNING BOARD DUTIES
A five member elected board with one appointed voting associate member, the Stow Planning Board has specific statutory requirements. The Board reviews and approves the division of land under the State Subdivision Control Law (MGL. Ch. 41) and the Stow Subdivision Rules and Regulations; serves as a special permit granting authority under the State Zoning Act (MGL. Ch. 40A) and the Stow Zoning Bylaw; and guides the process of Zoning Bylaw amendments under the State Zoning Act (MGL. Ch. 40A). Under State Law, the Board is charged with
the responsibility of protecting the health, safety and welfare of Stow's residents. Guided by the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Stow Zoning Bylaw, the 1996 Stow Master Plan and citizen's comments and concerns, |
the Board strives to preserve and enhance the integrity of Stow's character through the use of these regulatory tools, while safeguarding property owners' rights. The Board recommends and specifies changes to development proposals to achieve these goals. Board members and staff strive to work with both project proponents and citizens to help shape projects so as to minimize the impact to the community.
Members are elected to five-year terms except for associate members, who are appointed yearly.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
PLANNING BOARD MEMBER One Member to fill an unexpired term until the next town election Powers and Duties: The Planning Board reviews and approves the division of land under the State Subdivision Control Law (MGL. Ch. 41) and the Stow Subdivision Rules and Regulations; serves as a special permit granting authority under the State Zoning Act (MGL. Ch. 40A) and the Stow Zoning Bylaw; and guides the process of Zoning Bylaw amendments under the State Zoning Act (MGL. Ch. 40A).
Under State Law, the Board is charged with the responsibility of protecting the health, safety and welfare of Stow's residents. Guided by the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Stow Zoning Bylaw, the 2010 Stow Master Plan and citizens’ comments and concerns, the Board strives to preserve and enhance the integrity of Stow's character through the use of these regulatory tools, while safeguarding property owners' rights. The Board recommends and specifies changes to development proposals to achieve these goals. Board members and staff strive to work with both project proponents and citizens to help shape projects so as to minimize the impact to the community.
Qualifications: Registered Voter of Stow. Applicants should have an interest in all aspects of planning the preservation and use of Stow’s physical and aesthetic character, natural environment, historical and cultural resources and the “built” environment.
Term: This position is to fill a vacancy on the Planning Board, an elected multiple member body, until the next town election.
Appointment Authority: Joint vote of the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen.
Application: The Planning Board will accept letters of application until January 31, 2012.
Posted: January 4, 2012 |
LIGHT POLLUTION ADVISORY SUB-COMMITTEE Two members
Powers and Duties: The Light Pollution Advisory Sub-Committee, a three-member committee, appointed by the Planning Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Planning Board. The Sub-Committee reviews development proposals to ensure compliance with the Zoning Bylaw and makes recommendations for lighting-related mitigation measures.
Qualifications: Registered Voter of Stow. Applicants should have an interest in mitigation of light pollution. Term: Annual appointment by the Planning Board for a term to expire on May 31, 2012. Application: The Planning Board will accept letters of application until 5:00 pm on Friday, September 16, 2011 or until the vacancy is filled, which ever is later.
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PLANNING NEWS AND UPDATES
LOWER VILLAGE TRAFFIC AND STREETSCAPE PLANNING
The Planning Board continues to help advance the development and redevelopment of the Lower Village into a traditional, pedestrian oriented, New England village.
In 2010 the Board hired Coler & Colantonio to complete an existing conditions survey plan of the Lower Village. They are currently working with Coler & Colantonio to determine the feasibility of the preferred alternatives identified in the 2006 Lower Village Traffic Study and to identify the constraints and opportunities. The Board is also considering a series of alternative traffic improvement plans created by Coler & Colantonio. The Board plans to hold a series of public forums to solicit input from Lower Village residents and business owners.
Phase II of the contract with Coler & Colantonio was funded by the May 2011 Annual Town Meeting for further study, including:
- Geotechnical Investigations (Perform pavement cores and borings within the Stow Lower Village project limits in order to verify subsurface conditions)
- Utilities – (Begin initial coordination with utility companies regarding the possibility of relocation of overhead utilities to underground.
- Advancement of surface improvement program (additional engineering services related to the advancement of the roadway surface improvements
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT INFORMATION
A list of development projects reviewed by the Planning Board can be found under "Additional Links," under "Development Project Information."
COMMERCIAL SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC RENEWABLE ENERGY INSTALLATIONS
The Commercial Solar Photovoltaic Energy Installations Bylaw was APPROVED by a unanimous vote at November 7, 2011 Special Town Meeting and approved by Attorney General on December 9, 2011. This bylaw establishes Commercial Solar Photovoltaic Renewable Energy Installations as an allowed use subject to Site Plan Approval in the Industrial, Commercial and Refuse Disposal Districts and subject to Special Permit and Site Plan Approval in the Recreation-Conservation, Residential, and Business Districts. The bylaw is intended to promote Commercial Solar Photovoltaic Renewable Energy Installations, while establishing standards that address and protects public safety, minimizes undesirable impacts on residential property and neighborhoods, protects scenic, natural and historic resources and does not diminish
abutting property.
WALKWAY PLANNING PROGRESS
December 23, 2011 - Construction of Segment 3 (Hudson Road to Harvard Road) and Segment 4 (Town Center) completed
- Pavement markings at the Rt.117/Harvard Road crosswalk will be repainted in spring 2012
October 7, 2011 - Construction of Segment 3 and 4 (Town Center) in final stages
September 12, 2011- Tentative start date for construction of Segment 3 (Hudson Road to Harvard Road)
June 14, 2011 - Bid Packages submitted to Central Register
May 31 , 2011- Final Walkway Plans for Phase I are completed
PHASE II: WALKWAY PLANNING
Based on initial public input, each street in Stow has been evaluated based on three criteria:
-Potential pedestrian volume
-Key destination connectivity
-Safety
LOWER VILLAGE SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL REPORT
At the June 7, 2011 Planning Board meeting, members voted to accept the Lower Village Sub-Committee's Final Report.
MASTER PLAN UPDATE NOW AVAILABLE
At the November 7, 2010 Planning Board meeting, members voted to accept the updated Master Plan. A printed copy is now available on reference in the Randall Library. The Master Plan is also available online on the Master Plan Committee's website and the Planning Board's website under "Additional Links").
A big thanks to all past and present committee members, and those who have participated in the Town's Master Planning efforts!
NEW FEMA FLOODZONE MAPS DIGITIZED
At May 2010 Town Meeting the Town voted to accept the new digitized FEMA Flood Zone Maps in order for the Town of Stow and its residents to take part in the flood insurance program.
Click on the link below for directions on "How to make a "FIRMette" (An image of your property on the FEMA website). Making a FIRMette will allow you to "zoom in" on your property and print out an image showing the location of all flood zones. Hardcopy maps are also available to view in the Planning Department Office.
Although the Planning Department cannot make determinations on FEMA floodzones, we encourage residents to call FEMA for information about flood zone determinations at 800-611-6122.
Regional Planning
METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL (MAPC)
MINUTEMAN ADVISORY GROUP ON INTERLOCAL COORDINATION (MAGIC)
Stow is a part of the Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC), which is a group comprised of thirteen communities (Acton, Bedford, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow and Sudbury) working collaboratively on issues of regional concern related to transportation, the environment, energy, open space, affordable housing, economic and community development, and legislative issues.
METRO BOSTON SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PLACE-BASED GRANT PROJECT
MAPC applied for funding to assist several groups of communities including the Town of Stow, Hudson, Maynard and Marlborough in advancing pedestrian and bicycle planning to create local networks for safe non-vehicle travel. This planning initiative will be conducted over the spring, summer and fall of 2012 at no cost to the municipality. As of October this project is one of 11 that has advanced to the preliminary approval phase and is pending successful negotiation of a final scope of work and budget.
PUBLIC MEETING FOR ON GOING TRANSPORTATION STUDY AT THE ASSABET RIVER WILDLIFE NATIONAL REFUGE
Tuesday, February 7th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The presentation starts at 7:15 pm.
TRANSPORTATION
ASSABET RIVER RAIL TRAIL (ARRT)
Click on the link below to see a map showing the outline of the Track Road property that the Town acquired as an easement
Map created by ARRT inc.
Choosing a greener way to travel
MinuteVan
Commute.com
MassRides has provided a website that allows commuters to find public transit options by inputting their start location and end location, as well as time of commute. Log onto http://commute.com/ to find an alternative route to work!
Last updated 01/30/12
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