Planning Board meeting March 4, 2020
Town of Princeton, Mass. -- Town Hall Annex
PLANNING BOARD Meeting Minutes--– March 4, 2020 7:30 PM
Present were: Chair John Mirick, Ian Catlow and Rud Mason and Ann Neuburg. Tom Sullivan was absent.
7:35 PM Opened meeting.
Ryan and Samantha Ingui of 149 Wheeler Road were in, along with several neighbors. John M. asked Ryan about his pending site plan. Ryan presented a draft version. He was having his attorney review it so it was not an official submission.
Ryan stated that he had done some work and placed some landscaping materials onto the property of abutters Tim & Kathleen Downing at 143 Wheeler Road in the past but has since cleared the area. It was recently surveyed and boulders were installed along the line. Ryan contended that Tim was satisfied with the results, but John M. stated that the Downings had to communicate this directly to the Pl.Bd. either with written notice or in person--attending a meeting.
Ryan’s attorney, David Wojcik, has presented an interpretation of the zoning bylaw, stating “Nowhere does the (bylaw) explicitly prohibit either two principal uses or a principal use and another use which is not an accessory use.” Board members are undecided about having two principal uses on a lot (dual uses). If the Board determines that only one principal use is allowed, then so long as the Inguis live on the property, any the use of the property for Ryan’s business is limited to a Home Occupation. If the Board determines that duals uses are allowed, then the Home Occupation limits do not apply. John M. has offered to research any Mass. case law and hopes to have something for the next meeting on March 18.
The Board agreed that under either interpretation of the bylaw, a site plan was required. Growth of the business is what is triggering a site plan. The Building Inspector properly ordered Ryan to submit a site plan.
Ryan outlined the screening plan along his property line he has developed with abutters Bryan and Adrienne Patrone at 151 Wheeler, who were present at the meeting. He proposes at least six Green Giant arbor vitae shrubs which are fast-growing. Bryan expressed interest over the status of the business as defined by zoning and stated that his concerns are about sight and sound. There was a general feeling foliage plantings would provide a reasonable solution. Ryan will talk further with Bryan on loation and number of shrubs.
John M. pointed out that zoning and state law allow a site plan to set conditions of an operation but a site plan is not a permit to operate. Ryan agreed to submit his plan formally at the March 18 meeting when John M. intends to report to the Board on the dual-use issue.
8:30 PM Michael Watkins was in to explain his plans for Monti Farms & Deli, 194 Worcester Road. He wants to install an ice cream window in the rear of the store and extend hours of the window service only to 9 PM seasonally. The deli is open from 7 AM – 7 PM. There would be no change in parking or driveway flow and some bench seating may be added by the window. He also is planning to string white lights around the front patio around existing picnic tables.
John M. explained that this is considered an amendment to the current site plan which was approved last April and asked Mike to come in on March18 with drawings and a description of the amendments. Mike also asked about a chicken coop, which is allowed in any zone, and was advised to discuss it with the Agricultural Commission.
The board discussed a survey for interest in senior housing. John M. and Ann N. will present a draft at the March 18 meeting.
Board voted all in favor to approve minutes of Feb. 19, 2020
9:05 PM. Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Marie Auger, land use coordinator
Referenced Documents: Draft site plan for 149 Wheeler Road; 2019 site plan materials and draft drawing from Michael Watkins for Monti’s Farm.