WESTFIELD – The Legislative & Ordinance Committee will initiate discussion tonight to clarify the roles of Planning Board members. The board has two types of members, an issue that has clouded requirements for a quorum and supermajority vote count.
The Planning Board is comprised of seven “full” members, six ward representatives and one At-large representative, as well as two associate members who are eligible to vote on a special permit or site plan if the “full” member is unable to attend the public hearing because state law requires that special permits by approved by a supermajority: five affirmative votes out of seven.
Currently the Planning Board has five full members and two alternates, a sufficient number to meet the supermajority state special permit requirement. The line defining the role of full members and associate members is unclear in terms of participation and responsibility.
The Law Department, in an opinion sent to Principal Planner Jay Vinskey on June 18, 2014, states that the membership of the board is nine, which requires a quorum of five members to conduct a meeting.
Historically the board has conducted meetings with a quorum of four members present for the seven member board. If all seven full members are present, and eligible to vote, the votes of the alternates are not counted.
At-large Councilor Matthew T. VanHeynigen, who served previously on the Planning Board, brought the motion to revise the city’s Planning Board ordinance to more clearly define the roles of full and alternative members.
The L&O will discuss that ordinance tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Other issues in that committee include recommendations from the City’s Traffic Commission regarding “certain right and left turns” as well as a stop sign on Spruce Street; a request from the Airport Commission to approve a lease longer than 20 years; and a special tax assessment for Prolamina.
The Barnes Regional Airport Commission has the authority to approve leases up to 20 years, but requires City Council approval to extend a lease contract for a longer period.
Prolamina is seeking to make major investments which will create new jobs in the city, but are seeking tax relief. City Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell has been working with officials at Prolamina on an agreement to reduce the company’s tax.
The company is planning to invest nearly $7 million in its Westfield facility, with $4 million to be used to expand the plant by 8,700 square feet, renovate another 22,000 square feet and to improve the roof and facade of the building on North Elm Street, the city’s northern gateway.
Prolamina would also invest $2.95 million in new equipment to position the company for the market. Prolamina makes products for the food and health industries. The firm would also increase its workforce by 12 jobs as part of the special tax assessment.
