5 April 2006 | Approved: 7 June 2006
Chairman John McClelland called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Darrell Anderson, Peggy Ebner, Bob Evans and Bud O’Connor. Also in attendance were town residents Charlie Challstrom, Tony Hutter-Ceci, Sylvie Favret, David Gumula, Bill Harrison, Ralph Hurst, Kathy Lehman, Jean Moyer, Paula Puglisi and Mimi Styles. Donald Johnson, Mr. Harrison’s architect was also present.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes for March were approved as amended.
Building Permits
The following building permits were discussed and voted on by the Planning Commission:
- 206 Chestnut Avenue – Fence complies with Section 3.28. Approved unanimously.
- 207 Maple Avenue – Privacy screening around existing patio complies with Article 7, Section 9. Approved unanimously.
- 415 Center Street – Permit submitted for gazebo incomplete. Resubmit and include current lot coverage excluding abandoned right-of-ways, square footage of gazebo and applicable set-backs.
- Fence complies with Section 3.28. Approved unanimously.
- 405 Chestnut Avenue – Fence does not comply with Section 3.28. Maximum fence height allowed adjacent to Town property is 4 feet. Denied unanimously.
- 406 Grove Avenue – Kitchen/porch addition complies with Section 9. Approved unanimously.
- 500 Brown Street – Owner Bill Harrison’s architect Donald Johnson presented a request for a 10×20 foot shed attached to the west side of the house located on a Forest Conservation Area. Chairman McClelland updated the commissioners on the history of the property by presenting two letters dated 1998 (Attachment A and B) outlining the Forest Conservation Area’s uses and requesting that the owner (Mr. Harrison) stop parking on the property and remove the driveway. The commissioners reviewed the Forest Conservation Manual and found that although it states "The easement allows for additions and modifications to existing structures…" the PC concluded that the primary intent of a forest conservation area is to preserve these areas and promote tree growth within that area by disallowing additional development – unless the structure was already located within that same area. Therefore, since the house is located outside the forest conservation area, it is unlikely that the shed would be allowed. The PC will send the permit to the HPC for review and discuss permitted uses within forest conservation areas again at the May meeting.
352 Ridge Road-Removal of Fence
Tony Hutter-Ceci, owner of 348 Ridge Road, presented information regarding the removal of a fence between his property and 352 Ridge Road. Mr. Hutter-Ceci is unclear whether the fence was on his property, however, a Town permit is required to remove or demolish a fence. Chairman McClelland will send a letter to the owners of 352 Ridge Road notifying them that a permit was required. The Town Council will decide what action, if any, the Town would need to take.
Missy Yachup – Secretary
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.