FINCOM 20200323 Minutes

Source page 1

Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 7-30-20 
801 Washington Street Vote: 6-0-1 
Canton, MA 02021 
Meeting Minutes 
March 23, 2020 
Finance Committee Members Present: David Clough, Dan Cole, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Barbara Saint 
Andre, Cindy Thomas and Wai Wong. 
Finance Committee Members Absent: Christos Arsoniadis and Rob Barker. 
Guests Present: 
Tim McCarthy, Resident 
Randy Scollins, Finance Director 
Glen Shane, Resident 
Laura Smead, Town Planner 
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary 
Opening: Chair McKenna called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. via Zoom virtual meeting. 
Approval of Agenda: Chair McKenna reviewed the agenda. 
New Business: 
Discussion with Laura Smead, Town Planner — Planninq Board Town Meetina Articles 
Article 43 - Amend Zoning By -Law Section 9.5 Billboard Zoning Overlay District 
Article 43 is related to Article 51. The zoning by-law change would establish definitions for zoning overlay district 
along highways located in Canton. The article is modeled after a Braintree by-law. This by-law will help to establish 
where billboards would not be located. This by-law amendment would codify where they are already located in town 
Article 51 -Amend Zoning By -Law Section 6.3.10 Non -Accessory Signs 
This by-law amendment would help to manage placement, operation, maintenance and local impacts of billboards. 
Restrictions would be in place so as not to violate existing scenic areas. Mr. Mauro stated that these zoning by-law 
changes would help to make Route 138 more esthetically pleasing. If these by-law changes were to pass, any 
existing billboards not located within the Billboard Zoning Overlay District (such as in the area of Route 138) would 
become pre-existing non -confirming structures and could be subject to removal once the contracts expire. Ms. 
Smead is under the impression that the billboards along Route 138 are benefitting more the landowners than the 
Town as opposed to the billboards along Route 95 which the Town is benefitting from. 
Article 44 - Amend Zoning By -Law Section 10.7 Canton Center Design Review 
This by-law change would keep the process the same for the review of signs but would transfer the approval process 
to the Planning Board. Because the Canton Center Design Review Board only meets once per month it prohibits the 
process from moving along in an expedited manner. 
Article 45 - Amend Zoning By -Law Section 3.1.4 Table of Use Definitions Section J Accessory Uses Related 
to the Keeping of Overnight Motor Vehicles 
Article 45 would correct an error in the Table of Use. In the Accessory Uses Table for this regulation the word not 
should be removed from the phrase of "keeping of not more than five motor vehicles" 
Article 46 - Amend Zoning By -Laws Section 3.1.4 Table of Use Regulations Related to Short -Term Rentals 
Short-term rentals would be subject to applicable State and town registration, administrative regulations and 
inspection requirements. 
Article 47 - Amend Zoning By -Laws Section 11.0 Definitions — Short Term Rentals 
The Planning Board proposes including a definition in the Zoning By -Laws to modernize Canton's regulations for 
short-term rentals made through hosting platforms such as AirBnB. 
Article 48 - Amend Zoning By -Laws Section 4.1.4 Table of Dimensional Requirements — Residence Districts 
This is a housekeeping article to remove a footnote in the by-law. This change would allow more flexibility to 
homeowners for rear yard setbacks for structures such as sheds. Most homes in Canton could not meet the required 
100-200 foot setback requirements. Mr. Mauro inquired as to how the size of the shed would be restricted. There 
would still be building codes that would come into play as to how close a structure could be to a house. Ms. Smead 
indicated that last year there were restrictions put in place as to the size of structures. 
FINCOM 201200323 Minutes, EM Page I of 7 5/31/2020