2018-01-29 BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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71-171 Selectmen's Meeting—January 29, 2018 Marrett Road, presented the article he and his partners intend to bring forward at Annual Town Meeting 2018. With the article, Mr. Minasian asks the Town to make commercial uses consistent on both sides of Marrett Road at this location; add eleven news uses intended to attract commercial renters and fill the current 15% vacancy; replace the current CN and CS districts with a single CG or"commercial general" designation; remove residential uses as an option; and change the density of the Use Table so current non-conforming properties become conforming. Mr. Minasian and his partners also met with the Planning Board to discuss the proposed article. Mr. Minasian stated that the Planning Board recommended revisions to the proposed additional by-right uses but agreed that some uses, such as banks, restaurants, and liquor stores, could be allowed by Special Permit. Drive-thrus for banks have been removed from the proposal. Mr. Minasian said most people he has spoken with are comfortable allowing offices in the district, noting that offices were allowed there in prior years. He and his partners are scheduled to meet with neighbors and Precinct 9 Town Meeting members to gather additional feedback on their proposal. Ms. Ciccolo said she is eager to hear the feedback from the public input process. Ms. Barry questioned some of the changes to the Use Table that seem contradictory to Mr. Minasian's presentation. Mr. Hornig, Planning Board member, explained that, although it appears confusing, Mr. Minasian followed Planning Board practice of indicating that a Special Permit is required for certain uses when, in actuality, the use is not allowed. Ms. Barry asked for a definition of"road side stand" and if there is a square footage designation for a"general merchandise" business. Mr. Hornig said a road side stand would be a business associated with a farm that sells products from that farm. Mr. Hornig said square footage is a factor for a general merchandise business as well as consistency with adjacent commercial districts. Mr. Pato believes it is a good idea to unify the two districts and to have a common Use Table. He asked if Mr. Minasian has reached out to the owners of the other 2 properties in the cluster. Mr. Minasian said the two owners are in agreement with what he and his partners is attempting to do. Mr. Lucente said he, too, believes consistency is good and noted that there are other properties in town that would benefit from similar zoning reorganization. He asked if dimensional controls might impact future redevelopment of the area. Mr. Minasian said it makes no economic sense for him to tear down current buildings and build larger buildings units. His primary goal is to fill vacant storefronts. Mr. Hornig said the dimensions specified in the current zoning do not match what is going on in the district and that parking ratios are the limiting factor. Additionally, by changing the setback, Mr. Hornig hopes parking will go behind the buildings when they are redeveloped. Dawn McKenna asked what criteria Mr. Minasian used to identify the list of abutters to invite to the public meeting; she feels it inappropriate for a liquor store to be allowed in that location as it is close to an elementary school. Mr. Minasian said there are 97 households within 500 feet of the properties; in addition to these abutters, twenty-one Precinct 9 members were invited.