1 August 2007 | Approved: 5 September 2007
Chairman John McClelland called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. In attendance were Commissions Charlie Challstrom, Peggy Ebner, Robert Evans, Bud O’Connor, and alternate Joe Clark. Also in attendance were Town residents Howard Harary, Ralph Hurst, Audrey Maskery, and Gary Hayward.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the July meeting were approved.
Building Permits
The following building permits were reviewed:
- 119 Grove – A plan for expansion of an existing home was presented. There were no apparent problems with setbacks. The Historic Preservation Commission has not yet reviewed the plans, however.
- 205 Washington Grove Lane – A plan to replace a porch, with a 2′ expansion resulting, was presented. The HPC had previously expressed its approval. The Commission approved the plan pursuant to Section 9 of Article 7.
- 201 Cherry Avenue – A plan to add a sunroom was presented. The sunroom will not extend any further toward the property line that the current sideyard edge does (11’6" from sideyard boundary). Lot coverage with the addition will be 19.7%. The plan was approved under Section 9 of Article 7, subject to HPC review and comment.
- 112 Chestnut Avenue – A request was made for clarification of the manner in which the 30′ height limitation is calculated. Chairman McClelland will respond by letter.
Home Occupation Ordinance
Commissioner Challstrom presented a revised version of the proposed ordinance discussed at the July meeting to limit the conducting of home occupations to homes which are the principal residence of the business owner. The new language clarifies that the resident may be either the owner or a renter, as long as the home is the individual’s principal residence. The Commission also discussed the provision for a 2-year amortization of any existing businesses which do not comport with the new ordinance, the 2-year standard having previously been recommended to the Town by the then-Town Attorney. On motion duly made and seconded, the ordinance was unanimously approved.
Future Issues
The Commission discussed other issues which it may want to address in the coming months: the completion of the Master Plan revision; reconsideration of some definitions in the zoning code; further exploration of the issue of parking on public property; coordination of permit timing with the HPC; and the humpback bridge.
Robert Evans
Commissioner
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.