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Planning Board votes unanimously to add Dark‑Sky appendix to master plan for study
Summary
The Hamilton Planning Board voted unanimously to add Appendix D (a dark‑sky bylaw study) to the 2024 master plan and directed staff to track a steering committee's work; members discussed whether a bylaw should be zoning or general and possible exemptions and grace periods.
The Planning Board voted unanimously to add an Appendix D to the 2024 master plan to house work on a dark‑sky bylaw and to continue study with the local steering committee. Member [name withheld in transcript] moved to amend Action 4.2.0.1 to add Appendix D (Dark Skies bylaw); the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Members debated scope and enforcement: Chair and others said the bylaw could apply to commercial lighting and possibly single‑family houses over a defined phase‑in period. Participants discussed exemptions for safety at intersections, grace periods for compliance (several years to allow normal maintenance cycles), and whether the rule should function as a general bylaw or a zoning bylaw. The board noted Rockport recently adopted a dark‑sky bylaw and that a local steering committee (Andrew Rowe and Cathy Simons) is preparing recommendations. Mark said the board will consult the steering committee and other communities before drafting formal warrant language.
