Planning Board meeting 12/5/19

Town of Princeton, Mass.     --     Town Hall Annex

PLANNING BOARD   Meeting Minutes--– Dec. 5, 2019      7:30 PM

Present were:  Chair John Mirick, , Ann Neuburg Rud Mason and Tom Sullivan. Ian Catlow was absent.  Corey Burnham-Howard from the Environmental Action Cmte. was in as well as Helga Lyons from the Advisory Cmte.--attending as their liaison.

7:30 PM  Opened meeting in Town Hall Annex

Ryan and Samantha Ingui, 149 Wheeler Road, were in at the request of the building inspector, Fred Lonardo, who believes a site plan review is in order for the property. The location is zoned Business-Industrial, but Ryan has a landscaping business conducted as a “home occupation” which is allowed by right in any zone. Site plan review by the Planning Board is required of any business operation that expands or changes use. Ryan reported that the previous building inspector, Rich Breagy, had looked into the issue two years ago and concluded that this home occupation did not require a site plan. Since then, Ryan has obtained a building permit for a house addition which he believes triggered scrutiny by the current inspector, Mr. Lonardo. Ryan attests that his neighbors have complained in the past about tree-clearing and landscaping activities on his property and he believes he is being harassed. He insists that the house addition (adding a bedroom) has nothing to do with his business but the building inspector seems to be integrating the idea of a house expansion with a business expansion that would require site plan review.

            Board members looked over the enforcement order that Ryan received and there was some discussion over which part of Section XII could apply in this case, 2. (1) dealing with “structure” which is cited in the letter or 2. (2) dealing with “parking” which Chairman John M. noted may be more applicable. Ryan explained that a family friend who is an attorney has advised him to focus on the enforcement letter and insists that the whole process is wrong and no site plan is necessary. He did not present any lot sketches or plans for that reason but described his business as a one-man operation with up to five seasonal staff who may pick up equipment and leave personal vehicles on the Ingues’ lot during business hours. He noted that he owned five trailers and that he would likely grow his business and move equipment to another site in the future.

            The board explained that the site plan review is not a discretionary permit process and that it only allows creation of conditions meant to protect abutters, such as parking, lighting, driveway egress, drainage, etc. Rud M. outlined his similar past experience running an at-home landscaping operation. He noted that even though the Inguis were in an Industrial zone, the primary use is still residential and he urged Ryan to submit a site plan as the easiest way to end any contention.

            Several residents spoke in support of Ryan’s operation including Patrick Joyce, 129 Wheeler road, who reported that parking and the lot layout has not changed since the previous owner of 149 Wheeler. It was noted that a tennis court on the property has been converted into lawn.

            The Inguis agreed to begin work on a site plan and will follow up with the planning office.

8:30 PM  Corey Burnham-Howard and Claire Golding from the Environmental Action Committee were in to continue to explain requirements for Green Communities status. The next deadline for a grant application is October 2020 and they intend to be ready. They reported that Kelly Brown,  DOER regional coordinator, will be at the Dec. 10 Selectboard meeting to explain the process. One requirement for having land zoned to accommodate a “green energy” production or manufacturing plant may already exist in the town’s former landfill acreage off Hubbardston Road, which is zoned “Industrial.” Non-discretionary site plan review is the only thing such a facility would need to submit, and that would likely meet another Green Communities requirement for “expedited permitting.”

9:05 PM   The board voted all in favor to approve minutes for the meeting of Nov. 7, 2019. The next meeting will be as per regular Schedule on Thursday, Nov. 19 to discuss zoning amendments. Group will consider changing meetings back to Wednesdays.

9:15 PM   Meeting adjourned

Respectfully Submitted:   Marie Auger, admin. assistant

Referenced Documents:     Enforcement letter from building inspector dated  9/23/19.