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Yarmouth Planning Board weighs narrow wording change to Article 13 to allow alternate data sources for median sale price
Summary
The Planning Board reviewed a proposed amendment to zoning bylaw §4-12 that would keep the Warren Group as a data source for median sale price but permit ‘other available comparable data’ when calculating the fee paid in lieu of creating affordable housing units. A motion to approve revised language was made on the record and later withdrawn; the final disposition was not recorded.
The Yarmouth Planning Board on Nov. 13 reviewed a proposed change to Article 13 — an amendment to zoning bylaw §4-12 governing affordable housing fees — that would change how the town determines the median sale price used to calculate fees paid in lieu of producing affordable housing units.
Chair Joanne Crowley opened the discussion by noting the board would review and vote on the proposed change and pointed members to a revised motion and explanatory materials in the meeting packet. A staff member identified as Kathy told the board the amendment retains the Warren Group as a named source but adds flexibility by allowing “other available comparable data” to be used for the median sale price calculation.
“So it’s a tiny little change, but I think it will avoid problems in the future,” Kathy said, arguing the more generic language would prevent the need for another amendment if the Warren Group’s name or ownership changed or if a different, better data source became available.
Chair Crowley asked for a motion to approve the revised language. An unnamed member moved the motion and the chair called for a voice vote; two board members responded “Aye” on the record. Before the board finalized other business, however, the mover stated, “I withdraw my motion, madam chair,” leaving the final disposition of the revised Article 13 language unclear in the meeting record.
Kathy also reported the town had heard back from the BSC Group regarding dates for a special town meeting: Jan. 29, 2025, with Feb. 5 as a backup if weather requires rescheduling. Board members confirmed the special town meeting would be held in a hybrid format and Kathy said she would begin advertising the meeting and prepare a postcard notice.
The Planning Board adjourned following a separate, successful motion to close the meeting.
Next steps: the transcript contains a record that the proposed wording change was discussed and a motion to approve it was made and later withdrawn; the board did not record a final, unambiguous vote on the Article 13 language during this session.
