Planning Board Articles for 2024 Annual Town Meeting
The Planning Board will present Articles 14 though 20 for consideration at the Annual Town Meeting on May 6, 2024. The full content of the articles may be found in the posted warrant, available here:
ATM 2024 Warrant
The following Public Hearing notice contains brief summaries of each article. The notice was posted at the Town Clerk’s office at Essex Town Hall beginning April 1 and was run in the Gloucester Daily Times on April 1 and April 8, 2024 in accordance with MGL Chapter 40A § 5, Adoption or Change of Zoning Ordinances or Bylaws; Procedure.
Town of Essex Planning Board - Public Hearing Notice
Notice is hereby given that the Essex Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, beginning at 7:00 PM at the Essex Town Hall 3rd floor auditorium, 30 Martin Street, Essex, MA 01929, on seven proposed warrant articles for the May 6, 2024 Annual Town Meeting.
The articles are summarized below. The complete, proposed text is available at the Office of the Town Clerk during business hours and on the Town’s website at essexma.org under the Town Meeting tab on the home page.
ARTICLE 14: “To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 6-3.3.3.7 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws, Dimensional and Density Regulations, to require that all buildings have a minimum front yard setback of seven (7) feet, as shown in Table 6-3.33.7 and referenced in Note #1 of said Table.”
ARTICLE 15: “To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 6-1.3 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws, Purpose & Intent, by adding more detailed information concerning purposes and intent to be furthered by the Town’s Zoning Bylaws.”
ARTICLE 16: “To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town’s Zoning Bylaws, by adding a new Section 6-4.1.3, Limitations on Permitted Uses.”
ARTICLE 17: “To see if the Town will vote to Amend Section 6-4.3 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaw, Uses Requiring Special Permit, by changing the title to “Special Permit Uses”, by adding a new General Provisions Section and by renumbering all existing sections.”
ARTICLE 18: “To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 6-4.3.5 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws, Radio, Telecommunications, Cellular and Television Facilities (to be renumbered as 6-4.3.2.5 as shown in Article 17).” The amendment outlines the requirements for the location and mitigation for such facilities.
ARTICLE 19: “To see if the Town will vote to Amend Section 6-4.3 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws, relating to uses allowed by Special Permit, to add a new Section 6-4.3.2.14, Adult Entertainment Uses.” The amendment outlines the requirements for the location and mitigation for such uses.
ARTICLE 20: “To see if the Town will vote to Amend Section 6-4.3 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws, relating to uses allowed by Special Permit, by adding the following new uses that will be allowed by Special Permit: Commercial Shooting Ranges (6-4.3.2.15); Commercial Self-Storage Facilities (6-4.3.2.16); Drive-thru or Drive-in Establishments (6-4.3.2.17); Event Venue / Retreat Center / Function Facility (6-4.3.2.18); Free-Standing Solar Arrays (6-4.3.2.19); Outdoor/Indoor Heavy Equipment – Sales or Storage (6-4.3.2.20); Composting Facility (indoor/outdoor) (6-4.3.2.21); and Sporting Venue (indoor/outdoor) (6-4.3.2.22).”
Lisa O’Donnell, Chairman, Essex Planning Board