Planning Board
Town of Princeton, Mass.-- PLANNING BOARD meeting At T.H. Annex w/ remote participation by conference call
Public Hearing & Meeting Minutes
--– July 15 2020 7:30 PM
Present were: Chair John Mirick, Tom Sullivan. Ann Neuburg along with Rud Mason on conference call with Lauren and Steve Stimson. Ian Catlow was absent
7:30 PM Opened meeting and started calling the Stimsons after 7:35 for their public hearing.
7:50 PM Chair opened public hearing after Stimsons and Rud M. phoned in for remote participation. Lauren described their plan for a new 3,000 sq.ft. “studio/barn” incorporating a kitchen, bath, studio/office and storage, single level with cathedral ceiling. A new well and septic system are required. The building will house their landscape architect/design business which now has locations at 2 Mountain Road and in Cambridge. The farmstead and nursery operation currently at 71 Gates Road will expand and integrate with the new studio/barn. The Stimsons had previously met with the board for an informal review and discussion about the inter-relationship of the landscaping business and the nursery/agricultural activities before the formal filing.
Lauren explained that landscaping work is being done on the area around the proposed building, including clearing of invasive foliage and new plantings that will shield the buildings from Gates Road.
8:05 PM After hearing from the applicant, the chair asked for questions or comments from board members. The board suggested that any new lighting fixtures around the parking areas and walkways be downward-directed, and the applicants agreed that if lighting is installed it would be something like hooded lanterns on low-level wooden posts/poles. The zoning provision XVIII 3. For home occupations by special permit allows up to three full-time employees besides family members. The board noted that agricultural workers are not included in this limit as agriculture is a separate, by-right, use on this property. Standard conditions for the site plan for this property would be included in the Special Permit.
Recognizing no public comment or further discussion, the chair closed the public hearing and the board, without further deliberation, moved to a vote.
8:10 PM The board voted 4 – 0 to approve the Home Occupation Special Permit & Site Plan for 71 Gates Road. After the document is prepared, three board members will be able to sign it at the Town Hall office at a later date. Rud Mason is currently under quarantine.
8:13 PM Board voted all in favor to approve minutes from May 27, 2020
8:15 PM Adjourned. With a summer schedule of one meeting/month, the next PB meeting will be Aug. 19, 2020
Referenced Documents Application and plans for 71 Gates Road
Respectfully submitted: Marie Auger, land use coordinator