Minutes of Meeting
July 17, 2014
In attendance: PD, AP, JS, JD, BS and JJ
LR
BW absent
7:00 PM
PD opened the hearing.
Continuation – Brisson Street ( 87/31A) – Thomas Ginand
Request for a variance.
Sitting In: JS, PD, AP, BS and JD
Mr. Ginand was present and asked for a continuance.
PD motion to continue.
AP second.
All in favor to continue to August 7, 2014.
New – 16 Beaver Pond Road – Gordon Swanson
Request for a variance for addition
Sitting In: PD, AP, JS, JD and BS
Mr. and Mrs. Swanson were in attendance. Gordon Swanson (GD) stated they had a home business and currently use their basement as their workshop; there is not foot or truck traffic. The proposed addition would be a walk out from the basement. He felt the location was essential as their architect did the design and felt there was no other easy way to get to the work area. They will need a 6-foot variance. Their business is less than 25 % of the whole house. GD presented a plot plan that stated it was a cluster zone requiring a 10-foot setback. The board questioned why this could not be placed at a different location. GD stated it could but they wanted to keep the same aesthetics as was there now and keep their current picture window. Any other design would be more expensive and would not be
as close to the current workshop. A large rock would have to be removed. PD read the conditions of section 240-12 and explained the conditions that would have to be met for a variance. PD suggested they read more thoroughly these conditions. The applicant asked for more time to review these conditions and the board agreed to a continuance to August 7, 2014.
AP motion to accept the continuance to August 7, 2014.
PD second.
All in favor to continue as requested.
New – 635 Pulaski Blvd. – Karrie Whitman
Special Permit for Family Apartment
Sitting In: PD, AP, JS, JD and BS
The applicants were in attendance. Mr. Whitman stated the family apartment would be in the existing barn which is set back a large distance. There is plenty of parking. The applicants have owned the property for 2 years. It has been under legal occupancy for many years. There is no increase in floor space. It will be connected to town sewer. They would be living in the main home and their mother would be in the apartment. There are no site changes as it currently exists. It would help them and their mother financially. The board questioned if the structure had to be attached to the home. Jay Talerman, Town Counsel was in attendance and stated 240-74 isn’t definitive on this. PD explained to the applicant that they would have to return every 5 years to renew this
permit and that the apartment cannot be rented out. There were no public questions or concerns.
AP motion to close.
PD second.
PD motions to grant the family apartment permit as stated. Brenda Farria(Karrie Whitman’s mother) will be residing in the apartment.
AP second.
All in favor to grant the family apartment permit for 5 years.
There is a 20-day appeal period.
Continuance – 870-874 South Main Street, LLC.- Robert Chimeno
Special Permit for more than one principal use
Sitting In: JS, AP, JD, MC and BS
After the applicants’ current variance was approved he asked for a withdrawal of this request.
PD motion to accept this withdrawal.
AP second.
All in favor to accept.
Continuance – 870-874 South Main Street, LLC.- Robert Chimeno
Variance to allow more than two principal uses
Sitting In: JS, AP, JD, MC and BS
After the applicants’ current variance was approved he asked for a withdrawal of this request.
PD motion to accept this withdrawal.
AP second.
All in favor to accept.
New – 870-874 South Main Street, LLC.- Robert Chimeno
Variance to allow more than two principal uses
Sitting In: PD, JS, AP, JD and BS
PD opened the new variance request for 870-874 South Main Street. He stated that the two previous requests for a special permit and variance would remain open.
Attorney Bill Sack stated his applicants have been before the board many times with different proposals. They are now seeking a variance to be allowed to divide the 9000 square foot building, currently housing a commercial business, into 2 apartments. He stated this is a unique property with 2 building on one lot. There has been a history of multiple uses on this lot. There is adequate parking. This proposal would enhance the property, which is surrounded by residential uses. They have spoken with the neighbors and there seems to be no opposition as no abutters were in attendance. Attorney Sack stated they met the criteria to allow 2 uses on one lot. This property is unique as it is odd shaped with 2 structures. It is an enhancement to the public good. It will not derogate from the bylaw as
adding 2 residences would be better than a commercial use as it would in keeping with the residential neighborhood, less traffic as no trucking going in and out. There is no increase in footprint of any structures. The board asked for any public input. Attorney Ambler, a resident and business owner in Bellingham stated he felt that the bylaw had not been interpreted well as if historically there were multiple uses on a property then you shouldn’t need any variances or special permits. Jay Talerman, Town Counsel felt the bylaw was clear as it states “uses”. PD stated there was no increase in square footage and the variance would be for the additional uses.
PD motion to close the hearing.
AP second.
All in favor to close.
PD motion to grant the variance as requested to allow the applicant to use a portion of the existing commercial space for 2 apartment buildings as requested on the application.
AP second.
All in favor to grant as requested.
There is a 20 day appeal period.
Discussions:
Taft Estates 40B – 579 Pulaski Blvd.
Timothy Jones
This discussion was put on hold until the applicant has any new updates.
1210 Pulaski Blvd. – Landscape coverage review
A plan was presented by the applicant showing the tree plantings. The board discussed the matter and it was tabled to August 7th, as BS would write a more defined request.
Minutes
June 5, 2014
AP motion to accept the minutes as amended.
PD second.
All in favor to accept the minutes.
Meeting adjourned 9:30 PM. Approved 9/4/2014
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