Fair Haven Planning Board Tackles Zoom Policy and Town Blight

The Fair Haven Planning Board meeting covered two topics: the potential implementation of a Zoom policy for future meetings and discussions around addressing blight and property maintenance within the borough, particularly on River Road. The board grappled with the practical and legal implications of allowing remote participation via Zoom, debating its impact on public participation and transparency. They voted to introduce conferencing technology into meetings, with further details to be determined. Additionally, the board discussed the master plan’s relevance in combating blight.

The discussion about using Zoom for board meetings sparked varying opinions. While some board members saw the benefits of increased public participation and transparency, others raised concerns about the limitations of virtual participation for both board members and the public. Concerns were raised about whether remote attendees could contribute effectively to discussions and decision-making processes. The debate also touched on the legal aspects of voting for members joining via Zoom and the potential for public comment to become challenging to manage. Despite differences, the board agreed to move forward with integrating conferencing technology.

The conversation then shifted to the issue of blight in the town, specifically discussing distressed vacant properties on River Road. Board members discussed their jurisdiction and the extent of their involvement in making recommendations to the governing body. They acknowledged the need to reexamine the master plan and involve the public and other town committees in this process. Members suggested adding a section on blight to the master plan to address the issue in the future. It was acknowledged that the responsibility to address blight falls under the council and ordinance enforcement, leading to a suggestion to write a letter to the council highlighting the blight issues observed in the borough.

The topic of setbacks on River Road was brought to the fore by a concerned property owner who felt that the current planning standards could lead to unfavorable building outcomes. The discussion included the potential impact of different property groups owned by a single person being sold simultaneously, which could affect the town’s aesthetics and engagement. Members emphasized the urgency in addressing the “hodgepodge” of setbacks to maintain the desired scale and feel of the town. There was also talk of potentially bringing buildings closer to the road to encourage community engagement and spending. Furthermore, the property owner suggested that the board could utilize its expertise to work through the master plan and recommend changes, highlighting the need to streamline the variance process.

The board also reflected on their experience with the historical commission and the need for the town’s regulations to adapt to changes in the housing landscape. They discussed the variance process and its challenges, including the financial and uncertainty barriers property owners might face when seeking improvements. Members recognized the importance of making codified changes to facilitate property improvements, especially for young families.

In action items, the board planned to discuss the Zoom rule, review the master plan, and schedule outreach at the next meeting. They also agreed to examine specific ordinances related to blight and setbacks, with an emphasis on not creating additional burdens for property owners.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Josh Halpern
Planning Board Officials:
Sheilah Olsen, Frederick Rolff, David Paolo, Andrew Anderson, Dave Bordelon, Kelly Busch, Betsy Koch, James Newell, Michael Nitka, Ana Antonnen, Sean Bailey, Neil Blecher, Richard Gardella (Borough Engineer), Douglas Kovats (Planning Board Attorney), Koch, LaBarbera

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