2011 Town Report - Town of Ludlow

* John Bogel – 26 Nora Lane, Map #10, Parcel 182 – Agriculture to Residential AAction Taken: Approved* David & Ann Irvine – Tower Rd., Map #31, Parcel 7 – Agriculture to Residential AAction Taken: Approved* Jasca Group, LLC – West and Brooks Streets, Map #7, Parcels 18, 19, 21, 24 & Map #8, Parcel 11 –Agriculture to Industrial AAction Taken: WithdrawnSTREET ACCEPTANCE:* Daisy Lane ExtensionAction Taken: ApprovedCHANGES TO THE ZONING BYLAW:* Gave the Planning Board the ability to waive up to 5 parking spaces within the East Street Revitalization OverlayDistrict* Created a Land Use Classification for Municipal Parking* Prohibited Jersey Barriers from being used as fencing* Ladders for above-ground pools must comply with the state building code* Created a new zone of Mill Revitalization District* Created a bylaw for Small Wind Energy Systems and added corresponding definitions*Removed the Nursing and Convalescent Homes Land Use Classification and replaced it with a broaderclassification of Adult Care Facilities and added supporting language to the bylaw* Changed the general regulations for fences* Limited unattached accessory building size in residential districts to 50% of the size of the principal structure* Added parking guidelines for Municipal Recreational Parks* Created a minimum lot size requirement for horses and/or poniesOTHER NEWSDuring the March election, Planning Board member Raymond Phoenix ran un-opposed and was re-elected to a fiveyear term. Mr. Phoenix has served on the Planning Board since 1998.The Master Plan Committee, created and funded by Town Meeting in 2008 for $125,000, which began its work in2009, has worked on reviewing and commenting on the draft chapters completed by the Pioneer Valley PlanningCommission. The Master Plan is now in final draft form and the draft Master Plan was presented to the PlanningBoard by the Master Plan Committee. The Planning Board is now reviewing the draft Master Plan document. TheMaster Plan consists of the following chapters: Land Use; Housing; Economic Development; Open Space andNatural Resources; Historic, Cultural, and Recreational Resources; Transportation; Public Services & Infrastructure;Energy & Sustainability; Education; and Implementation. The Master Plan is now almost complete and onlyinvolves a minimal amount of the original $125,000.The Chapter 40R Advisory Committee held two hearings for public input on the four areas identified where a SmartGrowth Zoning District would be an appropriate location. These areas consist of the downtown along East Street,the Riverside district, the Ludlow Mills, and Scott’s Corner. After the second public hearing the Scott’s Cornerdistrict was eliminated. A Smart Growth Zoning District would encourage municipalities to create dense residentialor mixed –use zoning districts near transit stations, in areas of concentrated development such as existing city andtown centers, and in other highly suitable locations. The 40R Smart Growth Zoning Application will be sent to theDepartment of Housing and Community Development for approval.Under the Green Energy and Efficiency umbrella, the Town has worked on establishing a Small Wind EnergySystems Bylaw which Town Meeting approved in May. After receiving District Local Technical Assistance fromthe Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the Town is working with the Commission on crafting a Large-Scale,94