MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING
JANUARY 13, 2010
16 WOODLAND STREET APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN REVIEW
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Lawrence Salate, Patricia Halpin, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Amico, Milo Howard, Paula Howard, Marino Morazzini, Mary Noyes, Robert Noyes, Christopher Gagne, Barbara Wyatt
Mr. Salate opened the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. Mr. Christopher Gagne was present to represent the applicants. He did not submit the required copies of the Notice to Abutters, nor did he submit tear sheets from the Telegram & Gazette showing the legal ads which were required to be published. He stated that he would bring them to Town Office tomorrow. The Clerk, Ms. Paré, read the comments received from other town boards and departments. Approval was received from the Water District and the Board of Health, as long as the building addition is for a dog grooming business and not a kennel. Both the Building Inspector and the Fire Chief noted that the building will require a sprinkler system and the Building Inspector noted that he did not see a water connection on the plan.
The sprinkler system is required in any building of more than 7,500 sf in the aggregate, Fire Chief Pauley wrote by letter dated January 5, 2010. Mr. Gagne submitted a revised plan of the building wherein the north side of the proposed addition will be reduced by five feet, thus reducing the floor area to 7,274 sf,, which is less than the 7,500 sf threshold for a sprinkler system.
Mr. Gagne stated that the building now houses a pet retail store and a radon mitigation business which uses a trailer parked in the east-side parking lot for storage of parts for the radon business. The addition will be two stories with the first used as a warehouse for the parts and the second for pet grooming and retail sales. Parking will be in the existing spaces as well as five additional spaces on Woodland Street plus two handicapped spaces. There will be a subsurface infiltration system with catch basins. Water will be provided through the existing connections.
Minutes of the Public Hearing 2.
January 13, 2010 – 16 Woodland Street
Ms. Paré stated that there is a sign on the property now saying “Store Closing”. She asked why that sign is posted if the intention is to have a pet retail business there on the second floor. Mr. Gagne stated that he was unaware of the sign and would inquire further of the owners. Ms. Halpin inquired where dogs would “relieve” themselves during the hours they are at the dog grooming facility. Most dogs are left when they are being groomed, sometimes for the entire day, because it is a process that takes several hours. In reviewing the Zoning Bylaws, Mr. Vignaly noted that a kennel is not allowed except by Special Permit. He queried whether there is documentation to allow a “dog grooming” business. He asked Mr. Gagne to speak with the Building
Inspector on this issue and ask that he provide justification on whether this is an allowed use. Is it a use that comes under “office/business” or “kennel”? Mr. Vignaly also raised the question of how a 6” pvc pipe will be connected into a 24” concrete pipe and asked Mr. Gagne to check with the DPW whether a manhole will be required. Turning radii from parking spaces near the dumpster also need to be checked.
Mr. Gagne reported that the dumpster will be screened and a row of arbor vitae planted. All lighting will be installed on the building; there will be no “stand alone” lighting added. Ms. Paré noted that Mr. Amico just received the plans tonight so a review letter will not be forthcoming until he has had the chance to go over the plans in detail. Mr. Amico inquired about pedestrian activity from the parking lot to the entrance to the dog grooming facility. Will pedestrians be able to safely walk from the east parking lot across the front of the building to the entrance? Mr. Gagne replied that there is a walkway beside the retaining wall indicated on the plan. Mr. Amico cautioned Mr. Gagne to make sure that the wall is not on town property. Mr. Vignaly stated that he
is looking for screening for the neighbors, since there is no 30’ screening area that is usually required. The Code Enforcement Officer and the Chair of the ZBA determined that if any portion of the abutting parcel is in the business zone, the screening buffer is not necessary. He requested that the arbor vitae be spaced so that they can add screening to the surrounding residences. Mr. Gagne reported that the hours of operation will be no later than 7:00 p.m. Mr. Vignaly said that he would like to see plantings (evergreens) on the other side along Pierce Street to block the noise and Ms. Paré sought assurance that the back of the building would remain unlit.
Mr. Marino Morazzini, 18 Pierce Street, asked that Mr. Gagne guarantee that there will be no boarding of dogs. They bark all night and it will disturb the neighborhood. Mr. Gagne stated that there will be no boarding of dogs. Mr. Salate stated that this stipulation can be put in the final project Approval as a condition of approval. Mr. Robert Noyes, 36 Woodland Street, asked what activity would be on the two floors and how much “coming and going” will take place during the day. Mr. Gagne stated that traffic would be only from people taking and dropping off their dogs to be groomed and deliveries of parts for the radon business, in trucks no larger than “box trucks”. Mr. Noyes asked what would happen if the dog business closes and Ms. Paré explained
that a change of use of the property would require a site plan review. Mr. Noyes also inquired about the lighting and was told by Mr. Gagne that it would all be mounted on the building and would be hooded. Mr. Milo Howard, Pierce Street, expressed his
Minutes of the Public Hearing 3.
January 13, 2010 – 16 Woodland Street
concern about parking on Pierce Street. Events held in the past at the retail dog store (pictures with “Santa”), resulted in cars lined up along Pierce Street. There is a hill there and visibility for cars coming over the hill is limited. It is especially dangerous when cars need to pull out into the oncoming lane in order to get by the parked cars. Ms. Paula Howard stated that she doubts dog owners will park their cars on the other side of the building and walk them around the front to the dog grooming entrance at the rear. She said that they most likely will pull up and park on Pierce Street. Mr. Vignaly suggested that they pursue the possibility with the Police Chief of putting up “No Parking” signs along Pierce Street. Mr. Howard stated that there have
been tractor trailer trucks pulling up and parking on Pierce Street to drop off equipment. Ms. Barbara Wyatt, Sterling Place, asked the size of the lot. Mr. Gagne replied that it is about 1,600sf and Ms. Paré inquired how much of the lot is covered by the building. Mr. Vignaly stated that it appears 74% is covered, which is a dense impermeable area. Section 5.5 of the Zoning Bylaws allows a lot in the Industrial District to be covered no more than 40% and not more than 30% if the lot is less than ½ acre. Ms. Wyatt also inquired whether the applicant has been to the DCR and Mr. Gagne replied that he has and the plan was approved as long as there is to be no building in the “zone”. Ms. Noyes inquired whether there can be a time restriction on when the dumpster is emptied, since this project abuts a residential area. At CVS, they come at all hours and are very much of a disturbance. Ms. Howard inquired whether it is
possible to limit the hours of operation of the retail store. Ms. Paré informed her that according to the town bylaws, a business must be closed between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless it has received a Special Permit from the ZBA. She added that the Planning Board tried to pass a bylaw amendment to make this more restrictive but it was voted down at Town Meeting. Ms. Howard noted that no restrictions are enforced at the car wash and Shell Gas Station. Mr. Vignaly suggested that she make a list of her complaints and present them to the Code Enforcement Officer.
Mr. Amico stated that he will begin the review of the plan but asked that Mr. Gagne get him the language that justifies it is not a kennel. Upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Ms. Halpin, it was unanimously voted to continue the public hearing until February 24, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Date Accepted:__________ By:_______________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:______________________
Susan Abramson
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