The ten bylaws (more fully described in Notes from the Select Board and the Planning Board) that may be proposed at Town Meeting are:
Zoning Bylaws
- Natural Resource Preservation Zoning Bylaw (NRPZ) to replace current 2-and-4-acre zoning, setbacks, and other protections. Major change: current bylaw does not give PB discretion; proposed bylaw gives PB discretion to set numbers, for example, the % of land preserved, the number of units built. PB has discretion in the wording of the bylaw and by special permit.
- Replacement for current Parking Bylaw — all businesses out of compliance except perhaps Michael’s and Red Lion Inn. If Red Lion and Michael’s exempted, their parking lots could create unintended development opportunities.
- Replacement for Driveway Bylaw — rewriting a bylaw, rather than maintaining format and only changing minimum words necessary, makes it difficult for voters to follow changes.
- Sign Bylaw — Allows signs to be up to four times as big as currently allowed. On tiny shopping street what is purpose and impact of huge signs?
- Short-term Rental Bylaw — As written, what is power to deter and power to enforce?
- Accessory Dwelling Bylaw — Draft unfinished at this time.
- A proposed amendment to Stockbridge Zoning Bylaws Principle Uses that precludes residences on the ground floor in the business district. Question about grandfathering current residential occupants and for what period of time — after a sale?
General Bylaws
- Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Committee to be Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission. If current committee is still discussing and defining “parameters”, is it time to take permanent step of making it a part of bylaws?
- The “Bear Bylaw” — Would fine residents for having bird feeders? See SB meeting notes.
- Street numbering bylaw — a public safety bylaw requested by the Fire Chief — residents required to post number.
