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Planning Board begins master-plan RFP review and debates housing-density, build-out analysis
Summary
Board reviewed a draft master-plan RFP and held an extended discussion about housing density, state legislation, and whether Kingston should commission a build-out analysis to inform future zoning changes.
The Kingston Planning Board reviewed a draft request for proposals (RFP) for a new master plan and spent substantial time discussing housing density, recent state-level bills affecting local zoning, and the value of commissioning a build-out analysis.
Board members said the RFP will go to the select board for approval and highlighted a need to add a community profile section to the document. Glenn, planning staff, noted he drafted the RFP after reviewing other towns' documents and recommended that the planning board consider creating a master-plan steering committee to oversee consultant work.
Nut graf: The board discussed statewide momentum to change zoning and density rules to increase housing supply and weighed local tools such as cluster/open-space zoning, density bonuses, and targeted neighborhood planning. Members proposed including a build-out analysis in master-plan work to quantify how much developable land remains under current zoning.
Discussion covered several related topics: pending state legislation to shorten alteration-of-terrain approvals, bills changing parking requirements (one-parking-space-per-unit passed both chambers), and broader legislative pressure on density requirements. Members noted Kingston's aquifer-protection zoning requires larger lots in much of town (three-acre lots in aquifer areas) and said any local changes should be science-based and consider septic/well limitations.
The board debated timing and funding. Some members suggested front-loading housing and build-out analysis in the consultant scope; others recommended collecting comments from board members for the RFP over the next week so staff could revise the RFP before sending it to the select board. Chair Lynn Merrill asked members to send comments to Robin Carter by a one-week deadline.
Ending: The board agreed to collect edits and allowed staff to circulate examples of build-out analyses from nearby towns; members expressed interest in pursuing a build-out analysis as part of the master plan if funding is available.
