Design Review Board seeks working group to update Wayland design guidelines

WAYLAND — October 23, 2024 — Wayland Design Review Board moves to overhaul outdated town design guidelines. At its Oct. 23 meeting, the three-member board unanimously advanced a letter asking the Select Board to appoint a working group to update guidelines members called "obsolete" given changes to the building code and the rise of solar construction. Member Tanya Person said the current rules over-emphasize traditional New England styling at the expense of energy efficiency, noting deep southern overhangs are "not necessarily coordinated with New England style." The board also approved amended Sept. 25 minutes, fixing a recurring misspelling of Person's name and rewording motions to clarify that the board advises — rather than approves — applications before the Building Department and Planning Board. The chair said he would consult Robert Hummel, who is working with Abby Schutt on a ground-mounted solar article, on the proper procedure for the request.