MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES JULY 21, 2015
MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Sweitzer, Paul Hatch, Tara Hengeveld, and Karen King.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kevin Haley
ALSO PRESENT: Dan Laroche, Town Planner
7:00 Paul Hatch moved to accept the minutes of June 16, 2015 as presented.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Dan Laroche stated as discussed at the last meeting he had prepared a draft of a bylaw to address Home Occupations. There are two tiers to the bylaw, the first tier does not require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals and includes artist studio including but not limited to a craftsperson, potter, photographer, painter, musician; real estate, insurance, financial broker or agent; dressmaker, milliner, tailor, handicraft; and professional office of a doctor, dentist, cleric, lawyer, engineer, architect, landscape architect, teacher, accountant, or other office similar profession. The second tier requires that all other home occupations including but not limited to tradesperson, hairdresser/barber and print shops apply for a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Dan Laroche stated the existing home occupation language that is currently found in Section 3.1 Schedule of Use Regulations Table 1 will be deleted and a new Section 6.24 Home Occupations added.
Paul Hatch questioned if the “Dwellings & Housekeeping facilities for employees and non-paying guests” would also be deleted from Section 3.1 Schedule of Use Regulations, Table 1?
Dan Laroche stated yes.
The Board members discussed the list of occupations allowed with and without a special permit and the general consensus was that the language was open to misinterpretation and it would allow uses not anticipated.
Paul Hatch stated the Zoning Board of Appeals would be responsible for the Special Permit and he would like to include some guidance for the ZBA because under no circumstances would a machine shop or something similar be allowed as a home occupation.
Craig Sweitzer stated he was not sure if the language proposed would be moving backwards and making home occupations open to allow uses not anticipated.
Tara Hengeveld stated it is difficult because so many occupations have been created in the last 5 years that could never have been anticipated and are not mentioned in the list.
Dan Laroche suggested the Board think about the language and come back at another meeting to hammer out the specifics.
Craig Sweitzer stated it is difficult because one Board generates the bylaw and another Board has to enforce it.
Paul Hatch stated he would agree with Mr. Laroche more specific not restrictive.
7:30 Craig Sweitzer convened a public hearing to review a petition for Site Plan Approval submitted by Maeldun, LLC for property located on Palmer Road, Assessors Map 110, Parcel 001. The petitioner proposes to construct a 24’ x 84’ storage building on property zoned Industrial. The public hearing was advertised in the Republican Newspaper the weeds of July 2, & 9, 2015.
Chris Haley was present representing Maeldun, LLC and stated the plan shows a proposed 24’ x 84’ three sided steel storage shed and the location of a future building. The location of the building is such that it would not be visible from Route 32. The building would only be visible from abutting property Soft Touch car wash during the winter months. The proposed building would be green with taupe trim and used for storage of wood bricks.
Dan Laroche questioned if there would be any outside storage?
Chris Haley stated currently they store pellets outside on the site and that would continue. The building will be used to store wood bricks that cannot get wet. He stated no toxic or hazardous materials would be stored in the building.
Dan Laroche questioned if there would be any lighting?
Chris Haley stated the building has three sides, no lighting or signage.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the front setback?
Chris Haley stated it was approximately 800 feet from the road.
Tara Hengeveld stated for clarification the plan also shows a proposed future building is part of the site plan approval?
Chris Haley stated yes.
Craig Sweitzer questioned access for emergency buildings?
Chris Haley stated the access is already in place because of the pellet storage.
Paul Hatch stated the project meets the intent of the bylaw, as it does not render impervious more than 15% or 2,500 square feet of the lot, whichever is greater.
Craig Sweitzer stated he was O.K. with the project.
Dan Laroche stated chemical storage causes the problems but this is just wood bricks for a stove or fireplace.
7:50 Paul Hatch moved to close the hearing.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Paul Hatch moved to approve the site plan because there is adequate access for emergency vehicles; the proposed building is not visible from the road and is minimally visible from abutting properties; there is no storage of toxic or hazardous materials; and to make a finding that the project does not require a Special Permit under Section 4.2 Water Supply District of the Monson Zoning Bylaws because there is no change to infiltration on the site and it does not render impervious more than 15% or 2,500 square feet of the lot whichever is greater.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
8:00 Karen King moved to adjourn.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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