Cohasset public meetings in 2022

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee will discuss reorganizing its leadership, review Stantec scopes for Cohasset Village and the 3A Corridor/MBTA multifamily compliance, and receive an update on the Zoning Bylaw Working Group, including a name change to Zoning Bylaw Committee. The meeting is virtual via Zoom.

• Discussion of reorganization: Chair, Vice Chair, Clerk, appointment terms
• Discuss Stantec scopes for Cohasset Village and 3A Corridor/MBTA multifamily compliance
• Zoning Bylaw Working Group update: new name Zoning Bylaw Committee
• Discussion of next steps/meeting schedule, potential meeting with Select Board

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Zoning Bylaw Committee is meeting virtually to review a proposed new Article 1 with input from counsel and to review a slide show for the first public forum. They will also approve minutes from the July 6 meeting and discuss board status and reorganization.

• Review of proposed new Article 1 with Lauren, John, and counsel input
• Review of proposed slide show for first public forum
• Approval of minutes from 7/6/22
• Comments on board status/reorganization and welcome new members

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Zoning Bylaw Working Group of the Master Plan Implementation Committee is meeting to discuss reorganizing the board, reviewing work to date, and planning how to distribute zoning-related tasks to other boards or outside experts. They will also set a timeline for drafting new zoning articles for a fall Special Town Meeting, with votes scheduled on specific articles at upcoming meetings.

• Discussion of subbing out wind & solar sections to Alt. Energy Comm.
• Discussion of subbing out Accessory Dwelling section to Aff. Housing Comm.
• Discussion of subbing out parking section to Stantec (village parking analysis)
• Discussion of subbing out Art. 7 (non-conforming lots & uses) to Woody & ZBA
• Review of proposed town meeting timeline, with votes on new Articles 1-4 at upcoming meetings

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee's Elm Street Corridor Working Group will review two design alternatives for the Elm Street corridor, including cost estimates, and vote on a recommendation to the Select Board. The meeting is a working session to finalize the group's position on the preferred design.

• Review of J. Federico January 2022 Design Alternatives 1 & 2
• Cost estimates for Alternative 1 – Elm Street Segment Only
• Cost estimates for Alternative 1 – Elm Street Segment & Harbor Intersection
• Cost estimates for Alternative 2 – Elm Street Segment Only
• Cost estimates for Alternative 2 – Elm Street Segment & Harbor Intersection

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Cohasset Planning Board will hold a virtual public hearing to review a Large House Plan application for renovating a single-family home at 48 Sohier Street. The application, submitted by Colin & Emma Koch, involves a total Residential Gross Floor Area of 4,604 square feet. The hearing is scheduled for April 27, 2022, at 6:30 P.M. on Zoom.

• Public hearing for Large House Plan Review at 48 Sohier Street
• Renovation of single-family home with 4,604 SF RGFA
• Application by Colin & Emma Koch
• Virtual hearing via Zoom (Webinar ID 838 2376 1761)

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee's Zoning Bylaw Working Group is meeting to discuss updates on the RFQ process and the Housing Choice response, and to review a draft reorganization of the zoning bylaws and an index of amendments. The meeting is largely procedural, with no final votes or decisions listed on the agenda.

• Update on RFQ process
• Update on Housing Choice response
• Draft reorganization of zoning bylaws
• Draft index of amendments
• Set next meeting date (week of April 25)

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee's Zoning Bylaw Working Group is meeting virtually to discuss a comprehensive reorganization and redraft of the town's zoning bylaws, including a draft code of regulations and index of amendments. They will also receive a brief update on the RFQ process and set future meeting dates. The agenda is largely procedural, with the main substantive item being the zoning bylaw review.

• Review draft reorganization of zoning bylaws
• Review draft Code of Cohasset Regulations
• Review draft Index of Amendments
• Update on RFQ process
• Set next meeting date (week of March 28)

The Zoning Bylaw Working Group approved minutes from February 24, 2022, and discussed the MBTA Multifamily Housing Choice response, with drafts to be sent to the Select Board in March. The group noted that only Stantec responded to the RFQ for the comprehensive zoning bylaw redraft, and the interview committee will review the response. They also discussed replacing two members and possibly adding member-at-large positions, and reviewed a draft reorganization of the zoning bylaws.

• Approved minutes from February 24, 2022
• Noted only Stantec responded to RFQ for zoning bylaw redraft
• Discussed replacing two working group members and adding member-at-large positions
• Reviewed draft Table of Uses and reorganization of zoning bylaws
• Agreed to highlight text for movement into Code of Regulations in red

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee's Zoning Bylaw Working Group will meet virtually to discuss a comprehensive zoning reorganization and redraft, including an outline and definitions comparison chart. They will also receive an update on the MBTA Communities multi-family housing legislation and finalize communications pieces. The meeting includes routine items like roll call and approval of minutes.

• Comprehensive Zoning Reorganization & Redraft discussion
• MBTA Communities Multi-family Housing Legislation update
• Final comments on communications pieces
• Brief update on RFP process

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee's Elm Street Corridor Working Group is meeting virtually to discuss project status, community feedback, grant opportunities, and refined cost estimates. The group will also prepare an update for the Select Board meeting on February 15, 2022. Public comments will be heard.

• Discussion of project status for Elm Street corridor
• Review of community feedback
• Grant opportunities and technical assistance
• Refined cost estimates
• Update to Select Board on 2/15/22

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee's Zoning Bylaw Working Group is meeting virtually to discuss a comprehensive reorganization and redraft of Cohasset's zoning bylaws, including outlines for reorganization and definitions. They will also receive updates on the RFP process and residential access rules, and finalize communications pieces about zoning. The meeting is primarily a working session with no final votes expected.

• Update on RFP process by Paul Colleary, Katie Dugan, and Cassie Malatesta
• Update on residential access rules and regulations by Tom Callahan
• Review of comprehensive zoning reorganization and definitions outlines
• Final comments on communications pieces: 'Zoning Matters', 'Why Zoning Matters?', 'Why Update Cohasset's Zoning Bylaws?'
• Next meeting scheduled for week of February 14th

The working group discussed extending the zoning bylaw redraft RFQ deadline by two to three weeks to attract more consultant bids, after several firms declined or missed the initial email. No formal vote was taken; staff will propose a new timeline and notify the Select Board and Planning Board. The group also approved prior meeting minutes and continued discussions on residential rules and regulations.

• Approved minutes from January 25, 2022 meeting
• Agreed to consider extending RFQ deadline by 2-3 weeks (no formal vote)
• Continued public hearing on Residential Rules & Regulations to March 30, 2022

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee's Elm Street Corridor Working Group will meet virtually to discuss the project's next phases, including segment phasing, concept alternatives, and cost estimate data. This continues a discussion from the January 18 meeting. The committee will also prepare an update for the Select Board on February 15.

• Discussion of alternative approach for subsequent project phases
• Phasing of segments
• Concept alternatives
• Cost estimate data
• Select Board update scheduled for 2/15/22

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee's Zoning Bylaw Working Group will meet virtually to discuss the RFP process for a comprehensive zoning reorganization and redraft, including updates from a pre-proposal conference and next steps. They will also review communications on zoning basics, plan community and permitting board surveys, and debrief on the Special Town Meeting. The meeting is largely procedural, with no final decisions expected.

• Update on RFP process for zoning bylaw rewrite
• Discussion of community and permitting board surveys
• Debrief on Special Town Meeting (STM)
• Update from KP Law on legal matters
• Planning Board public hearing on Residential Access Regulations scheduled for January 26

The Zoning Bylaw Working Group approved minutes from January 5, 2022, and discussed the low interest in the RFQ for a zoning consultant. They agreed to have Paul Colleary make proactive calls to prospective consultants to gauge interest before adjusting the RFQ strategy. The group also reviewed draft communications and agreed to focus on reorganization and definitions at the next meeting.

• Approved minutes from January 5, 2022
• Agreed to have Paul Colleary call prospective consultants to assess interest in the RFQ
• Agreed to review and send final comments on draft communications to Katie Dugan
• Agreed to begin work on reorganization outline and definitions at the February 3rd meeting

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee (MPIC) will hold a virtual meeting to approve minutes, appoint a new Chairman and Vice Chairman, and receive updates on several ongoing planning initiatives, including the Elm Street Corridor Project, climate resiliency, affordable housing, comprehensive zoning redraft, and regional sewer. The committee will also discuss administrative matters, including a future meeting with Chief Silvia and Chris Senior about the Sidewalk & Roadway Safety Plan.

• Appointment of Chairman & Vice Chairman
• Elm Street Corridor Project update
• Climate Resiliency update
• Affordable Housing update
• Comprehensive Zoning Redraft & Reorganization update

The Master Plan Implementation Committee approved sending a letter of support to the Select Board for the Elm Street Corridor project, with Katie Dugan drafting it. They also approved the December 6, 2021 minutes. Other updates were provided on climate resiliency, affordable housing, zoning, and regional sewer, but no other formal votes were taken.

• Approved minutes from December 6, 2021
• Voted to send letter of support for Elm Street Corridor project to Select Board

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Implementation Committee's Elm Street Corridor Working Group is meeting virtually to discuss alternative approaches for subsequent project phases, including segment phasing, concept alternatives, and cost estimate data. The agenda includes a status update and next steps, with no formal votes or decisions listed.

• Discussion of alternative approach for subsequent project phases
• Phasing of segments
• Concept alternatives presented by Jason Federico
• Cost estimate data review

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Zoning Bylaw Working Group will review potential zoning consultants and appoint two members to an interview committee. They will also discuss next steps, including drafting an executive summary for the community, conducting surveys, and continuing bylaw research and rewrites. The meeting is largely procedural and planning-focused.

• Review list of potential zoning consultants and qualifications
• Appoint two ZBWG members to the Interview Committee
• Plan executive summary to community on comprehensive zoning rewrite
• Discuss surveys for community and permitting boards
• Note public hearing on Residential Access Regulations on January 26