Town of Orleans

The meeting focused on reviewing the findings of fact for Case Number 2026 regarding a special permit application by Cap Cod Village Inc. The project involves developing congregate housing for adults with autism, consisting of two two-unit buildings (totaling four units with sixteen bedrooms) on property located at 19 Child's Homestead Road. Discussions involved clarifying the unit count (four units versus sixteen units based on bedroom count) and amending finding number seven to exclude the specific mention of '16 affordable units' as it was deemed problematic regarding zoning bylaw compliance. A subsequent discussion clarified Finding 11 concerning traffic mitigation, specifically agreeing that routing outbound traffic left onto Child's Homestead Road would be subject to Police Department review, rather than being a mandated condition. Following these amendments, the findings of fact were adopted, and a motion was passed to approve the issuance of the special permit based on the adopted findings. Later in the session, a discussion took place regarding a proposed zoning bylaw amendment that would drastically change residential density allowances in the Village Center District, potentially making the Planning Board the special permit granting authority for apartment development.

The discussion centered on the cultural district initiative and the potential for securing grant funding, which has significantly energized the group. Key activities included planning for outreach to local cultural assets and businesses to assess needs, with specific attention given to developing a needs survey. The committee discussed leveraging both grant funds and existing local resources, such as those available from the Orleans Cultural Council, to support artists and public education efforts, potentially benefitting the Cable Museum. There was a strong emphasis on the need to allocate a significant portion of the potential grant funds ($5,000 out of $7,500 anticipated) to hire a part-time coordinator for 24 weeks to manage the swift rollout of programs and ensure compliance with COVID-19 requirements for organizations utilizing the old firehouse and for scheduled workshops. The group also decided to send a letter of thanks to representatives for securing the funding opportunity.

The meeting centered on Case Number 2138, an application for a special permit concerning the raise and replacement of a single-family dwelling at 25 High Tide Lane, which was non-conforming regarding side yard and coastal bank setback requirements. The need for replacement stemmed from catastrophic fire and water damage sustained by the existing dwelling on Thanksgiving of the previous year. The proposed new dwelling will be FEMA compliant, requiring the first floor elevation to be raised significantly, resulting in a slightly smaller habitable space than the original structure. The plan includes site grading, landscaping, and site restoration, featuring a wet meadow design to manage stormwater runoff and filtration, approved by the Conservation Commission with conditions, including the maintenance of a catch basin. Discussions addressed building coverage, which remains compliant, and the coastal setback issue, noting that while the building height increased due to FEMA requirements, the setback distance from the coastal bank was increased from 17 feet to 20.1 feet, intensifying the non-conformity, though the structure maintains a conforming setback from High Tide Lane. The board also confirmed that the proposed design, while contemporary, aligns with neighborhood aesthetics and maintains a neighbor's view of the pond, and that utility and septic systems are adequate.

The meeting commenced with logistical confirmations regarding compliance with Open Meeting Law and included discussions on the approval of the previous meeting's minutes, noting a minor error in recording an attendee's name. Key topics involved clarifying the process for reimbursing 'Friends' for senior grocery purchases and reviewing the unofficial year-end financial report for FY 2014. The financial review highlighted significant funds turned back to the town due to the closure of the day center program, totaling $75,080.30 from town appropriation funds, and discussions ensued regarding the town's projected financial deficit and potential budget reductions across departments. Operational updates covered reduced transportation capacity due to COVID-19 protocols, tentative plans for a limited reopening in September requiring adherence to safety guidelines (including mandated face masks), and the successful creation of on-demand fitness classes via website links and YouTube, while still pursuing dedicated cable access for non-internet users. The retirement of the outreach worker after 20 years of service was also noted.

The board meeting addressed motor vehicle abatements, specifically rectifying an omission from the previous month's report which resulted in an adjusted total amount of 411.76. A software glitch related to an abatement company's name exceeding character limits caused the initial error. The board also discussed assessment timing for one member's term and reviewed last year's payments. The session concluded with a transition into an executive session.