Zoning Board of Adjustment
Site Walk Minutes
May 12, 2003
Members present: Michael A. Methe; Chairman, Jane Roberts, Coni Porter; Alternate and Gerald D. Neiman; Alternate
Members absent: Daniel Baker, Edwin Mattson and Kerry Gagne
6:30 p.m. Site Walk scheduled for Case #03-03 and Case #03-04. This site walk is being conducted as agreed upon by the Board at the Public Hearing on April 28, 2003 which has been continued to 7:30 p.m. tonight. The property being viewed is located on Rt. 12 South and is known as Tax Map 12, Lot 7-2 which is located in the General Industrial District.
The Board members present, as indicated above, and Margo Best; Land Use Administrative Assistant departed from the Town Hall at 6:40 p.m.
The applicants’ parents, James and Lois Burroughs were at the site upon the Board’s arrival. Mr. Burroughs pointed out some stakes that mark the driveway to Chairman Methe, and then he and Mrs. Burroughs left.
The Board noted a short driveway going into the parcel which is wooded. The Board reviewed the map of the property and determined the entrance point and direction to walk in. Chairman Methe indicated that the brook was north of where they were standing and this parcel has 435’ of road frontage. The Board observed two red tipped stakes to the right of the driveway and pink tape on a tree directly behind one of the stakes. As the Board members walked into the parcel there were several trees flagged with pink tape, almost in a line. Approximately 300’ in another stake was observed, and the Board questioned if this stake still indicated the driveway location. Chairman Methe pointed out a yellow flag which indicated where the wetlands on this parcel were. A knoll was observed behind the wetlands.
The Board filled Alternate member Gerald Neiman in on the proposal which it to have four greenhouses on the property for a wholesale business and a residence with attached office. The applicant is proposing to build two A-frames. Chairman Methe told Mr. Neiman that this parcel is in the Industrial District where residences are not allowed. He added that agricultural use is not allowed either, and this Board is only hearing applications for the use of the property. Beyond this whatever happens rests with the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen.
Coni Porter asked where in town there was land zoned agricultural. Chairman Methe said that there is none, but the use is allowed in other districts. Mr. Neiman questioned if these applications were granted if they would set a precedent. Chairman Methe stated that each case is different and individual, and they should not be compared. Coni Porter said that the application should be judged on its’ own merits. Mr. Neiman asked why the applicant wanted to live at this location and Ms. Porter said that the applicant stated that he needs to be able to work the land in order to run the business.
The Board noted that the northern edge of the property is dry land. The brook is quite a distance away from where building is proposed. The Board noted that this is an industrial district, and if a noisy industry were to locate on abutting properties, the applicant in this case would have to accept that because it would be an allowed use.
The Board returned to the Town Hall and arrived at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Margo M. Best
Administrative Assistant
Land Use
| 
