MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Sweitzer, Paul Hatch, Kevin Haley, Tara Hengeveld and Karen King
7:00 Tare Hengeveld moved to approve the minutes of November 5th 2013.
Paul Hatch seconded the motion.
Voting Aye: Craig Sweitzer, Paul Hatch and Tara Hengeveld.
Karen King and Kevin Haley abstained, as they were not present at the meeting.
Paul Hatch moved to accept the minutes of November 19, 2013.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
Voting Aye: Craig Sweitzer, Paul Hatch, Kevin Haley and Karen King.
Tara Hengeveld abstained, as she was not present at the meeting.
The Board discussed the need to develop language for a Medical Marijuana Bylaw and have it ready to go to Town Meeting in May. It was the consensus of the Board that it would like to hold the public hearing for the Medical Marijuana Bylaw and the public hearing for Section 3.3.8 Reconstruction after Catastrophe or Demolition on the same evening.
The Board felt that the February meeting would not allow enough time to develop language for the Medical Marijuana Bylaw and tentatively set the regular meeting of March 18, 2014 as the hearing date.
Doctor Richard Smith sent a letter to the Planning Board regarding property located at 297 Main Street that he is considering purchasing. The last use of the property was a church with a residential apartment on the second floor. No exterior alteration to the building is proposed, minor interior remodeling would consist of new floors and paint. Dr. Smith outlined his proposal to use the basement for his personal gunsmith workshop (not open to the public); teach firearms classes on the first floor and rent the second floor apartment.
Craig Sweitzer stated the property has been vacant for more than two years and any previous uses would not be grandfathered. If no exterior change is proposed the Planning Board would only have to consider Site Plan review as it pertains to Section 7.4.1 (5) “Any change in use or intensity of use which will affect the characteristics of the site in terms of parking, loading, access, drainage, open space or utilities.”
Kevin Haley stated the Zoning Bylaws allow a mixed use in a Central or General Commercial district with a special permit with site plan approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Paul Hatch stated it is an allowed use and the only consideration for the Planning Board is if a Public Hearing for Site Plan Approval is required because of an increase in the intensity of use. He suggested the Board invite Dr. Smith to the February 28, 2014 meeting to informally discuss his plans for the property.
Craig Sweitzer stated the Board would then have a better understanding of the proposal and could determine if any change in the characteristics or intensity of use of the property was significant enough to require Site Plan Approval.
Paul Hatch excused himself to avoid the appearance of a conflict.
The Board received a letter from Donald J. Frydryk, P.E., P.L.S Sherman & Frydryk, Land Surveying & Engineering regarding a Site Plan that was approved by the Planning Board for their client Monson Savings Bank, 146 Main Street, Monson. The northerly abutter has expressed concern that the easterly island would restrict his access to his parking spaces and to the route he would like to use to exit his property. Discussions have taken place on the site with the abutter and a solution agreed upon but no changes will be made until an official submittal to the Monson Planning Board to modify the Site Plan Approval and Special Permit has been approved by the Board.
Paul Hatch returned.
Paul Hatch moved to adjourn at 8:10 P.M.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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