Minutes, News and Notes from the April 15th, 2010 Planning Board Meeting:
you may also get full, approved copies of the minutes
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Public Hearing
Essex One, LLC Cleland House, Parcel #40.73-6-8.00 Changes to original permit
Call to Order: By Chairman Harold MacDougal at 7:02pm.
Public present: Colleen Van Hoven, Sharon Boisen, Dennis Breitigan (representing Essex One, LLC)
The Chairman opened the floor to questions from the public. Colleen Van Hoven wanted to know the reason for eliminating the garage from the original plans. Dennis Breitigan responded that it was eliminated due to cost and that there was no need for the extra storage space.
The Chairman then presented a letter addressed to the Planning Board from Joan Stephan (neighbor who could not be present at the hearing) with a list of questions she wanted addressed. Harold then proceeded to go through the list. 1. The property is not a rental; this issue was addressed in the original permit. 2. Stove can be added-the Planning Board has no jurisdiction over this. 3. On the matter of extra parking, there are only two (2) parking spaces designated in the permit. 4. The upgrade of the septic system has been addressed in the original permit. The owner will seek a permit to use the existing system while the Town System is being constructed. Dennis Breitigan added that the tank is in good shape, and an 8-hour test will be conducted. 5. Pertaining to landscaping and the porch, Dennis Brietigan provided detailed drafted plans and went through a description of various shrubs and plants and where they would go. 6. Change to window area, now covered...not in original plans. Dennis Breitigan explained that this area is where the owner intends on putting his flat-screen TV and therefore needed to eliminate the window.
The door (front) and window were removed without permission from the Planning Board. A discussion followed between Jim Van Hoven and Dave Lansing regarding Zoning issuing permission without approval from the Planning Board. It was decided to continue discussion on procedure during the regular meeting. The board then contemplated and surmised that the door was added when the house became a duplex (date unsure) but that the porch dated to the early 60s. Sharon Boisen then suggested checking with local historians in cases like this.
Jim Van Hoven then went on to state that the porch itself had been a problem and needed to be removed. Whether or not to replace the porch, and the issues of the door and window, should have come before the Planning Board. He didn’t see the need for the porch to go back on and can live with the garage, door, and window. His problem, he said, is with the process and the need for better communication between the Zoning Officer and the Planning Board.
Sharon Boisen stated that as a neighbor she was very pleased with the results of the renovations and was happy that the house would be occupied, and asked whether the Planning Board was an architectural review board or a planning board.
There being no further questions from the public, Michele Cassidy moved to close the public hearing, Don Hollingworth seconded, and motion passed unaminmously.
Regular Meeting
Call to Order: Harold MacDougal called a Regular Meeting to order at 7:28pm.
Quorum: Present: Harold MacDougal, Jim Van Hoven, Don Hollingsworth, Derrick Wrisley, David Hislop, Michelle Cassidy, Nick Muller
Absent: Mark Walker
Acceptance of Minutes: David Hislop: eliminate word “roof” on page 2. Motion to accept March 18, 2010 minutes (with the preceding amendment) by Don Hollingsworth, seconded by Dave Hislop; Harold MacDougal and Jim Van Hoven abstain; motion passes.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Discussion of permits issued in March (listed on Zoning Officer’s report for March, attached separately). Jim Van Hoven commented that a good job was done on the report.
Chairman’s Report: Harold MacDougal. Discussion followed regarding procedure when changes come up. The Zoning Officer will have to notify the Planning Board.
Agenda: Nick Muller requested that “public comment” be added to verbage in monthly agenda.
More discussion followed regarding the permit amendment for Essex One, LLC.
Motion to accept the amendment to the permit for Essex One, LLC as proposed by Jim Van Hoven, seconded by Don Hollingsworth.
Dave Hislop then raised the issue of parking. Dennis Breitigan responded that there will be two (2) parking spaces, the same as was indicated in the original permit.
Motion to accept the permit-on the floor (already seconded): All ayes except for Michele Cassidy, opposed. The motion passed.
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Jim Van Hoven, seconded by Don Hollingsworth.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:38pm.
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