April 28, 2020
Present: Mark Lockwood (Chair), Jonathan Boardman, Margaret Chapple, Christine Chinni, Eric Lukingbeal, Eric Myers, Brennan Sheahan. Also present Interim Town Planner Dominick Caruso.
M. Lockwood made opening remarks. Per Executive Order this meeting shall be held remotely; Commission members who speak shall introduce themselves first each time they speak; members of the public who wish to speak shall introduce themselves and state their address. D. Caruso introduced himself.
M. Lockwood asked permission to add an item to the agenda under “Item 5: Receive application and set public hearings.” He stated an application for 103 Peterson Road is seeking a re-subdivision to create a one-building lot in an R-50 zone. File P-2-20.
On A Motion by C. Chinni seconded by J. Boardman, the commission approved (7-0-0) to add an item to the agenda, Receive an Application, for property at 103 Peterson Road. File P-2-20.
Minutes
On A Motion by M. Chapple seconded by E. Lukingbeal, the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve the minutes of April 14.
Public Hearing
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.5 for an accessory apartment for property located at 90 Granville Road.
Applicants Celia and Michael Camilleri, 90 Granville Road, North Granby addressed the commission via Zoom. The Camilleris propose to construct an addition to the home that will include an accessory in-law apartment. The apartment will be approximately 770 square feet and will contain one bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen; it will be located at least 25 ft from neighbor and 100 ft from the road; outdoor lighting will meet and not exceed code requirements; one garage bay will be reserved for accessory apartment residents; approval was granted by Inland and Wetlands Commission. Applicant also stated FVHD has approved it. Lockwood reminded the applicants that a Special Permit remains with the property; property owner must reside at the premises. Caruso pointed out potential drainage issues with the proximity of the gravel driveway (3’) in relation to the neighbor’s property line. B. Sheahan raised a drainage concern of garage roof run-off. Caruso asked what the intended use of the space above the garage would be. Commission members asked questions about a fence. Answering commission members’ questions, M. Camilleri stated they no longer are proposing a room above the garage. C. Camilleri stated they will reuse an existing fence agreeable with neighbor. The commission agreed other concerns can be addressed by town staff.
There was no public comment. The commission has 65 days to render its decision.
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.8 for a home occupation for a woodworking shop in an accessory building for property located at 261 Silver Street. Postponed from March 24.
Applicant Ryan Hart, 261 Silver Street addressed the commission via Zoom. Hart explained details of his woodworking business—he makes cabinets and furniture; there are no additional employees on-site; all materials are stored inside; all work is done inside; no products are advertised for sale, and clients do not visit the home. While there is no traffic from clients, the applicant states there are deliveries of raw materials to the home once every few months by a truck no larger than a typical UPS delivery truck. The applicant delivers finished good to clients. Answering commission members’ questions, he added—it was recently brought to the staff’s attention that he was using his garage to operate his woodworking business; raw timber outside of the workshop is for the woodstove; hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The work-shop doors are always kept closed, there has never been a noise complaint.
Caruso added for the record—the following residents submitted letters of approval for this application: Paul and Oksana Dunn, 263 Silver Street; Cheryl Bragnoli, 267 Silver Street; Andrea Toland, 85 Silver Brook Lane. A fourth letter was unsigned and unverified.
There was no public comment. The commission has 65 days to render its decision.
An application seeking a Special Permit for a re-subdivision in an R-50 zone to create one building for property located at 103 Peterson Road.
The public hearing has been scheduled for May 26.
Consideration of above applications where the commission has concluded the public hearing
The commission discussed the application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.5 for an accessory apartment for property located at 90 Granville Road. Commission members agreed the application is consistent with other accessory apartment applications and the proposed application complies with the Zoning Regulations. It was noted concerns can be worked out with town staff.
On A Motion by E. Myers seconded by J. Boardman the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.5 for an accessory apartment for property located at 90 Granville Road, File Z-11-20; with the following conditions: 1) relocate existing (or in-kind) fence in between applicant’s and neighbor’s property in the side yard that was reduced by the addition to the driveway; 2) a rainwater run off plan for sheet flow from driveway and roof run-off; 3) permit approval subject to Towns’ Building Official; 4) permit approval from FVHD.
The commission discussed the application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.8 for a home occupation for a woodworking shop in an accessory building for property located at 261 Silver Street. File Z-10-20. Lockwood has visited this site. Several commission members who are familiar with and who have frequented this area stated they have never heard noise, detected smells or any type of a nuisance about this property. A discussion of hours of operation concluded applicant may work hours as necessary as long as woodworking remains indoors.
On A Motion by Myers seconded by Boardman the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.8 for a home occupation for a woodworking shop in an accessory building for property located at 261 Silver Street. File Z-10-20; with the following condition: All wood-working activities including storage of materials to be conducted indoors at all times.
Staff Report and Correspondence
Lockwood welcomed Caruso. A note of congratulations was extended to A. Kenyon.
Commissioner Reports and
Correspondence
Lockwood stated the commission will continue meeting once per month. Should pressing matters arise, the regularly scheduled first meeting of the month may be added to the schedule for accommodating workload.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Tappenden, Recording Secretary