P&Z Approves Container Tree Farm, Discusses Firehouse

By Susan MacEachron

The Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting on July 8 included a public hearing for a container tree farm in a rural residential zone and a discussion of the proposed changes to the new fire house.
Edward Hinman described his plans to expand his nursery business consisting of small trees in containers on 65 acres at 39 Schoolhouse Road. Currently he has about 300 small trees in containers but wants to expand to 1,000 and allow customers to come to the site to purchase trees. Hinman said he comes and goes on a regular basis in his pickup truck but estimated that larger trucks would be accessing the property no more than 30 times over the course of a year. Zoning Enforcement Officer Stacey Sefcik confirmed that the adjoining property owners had been duly notified, and she had not received any questions or objections.

In response to a request from Commissioner Willard Wood, Hinman had checked the Natural Diversity Data Base. He learned there were possibly two endangered bats in the area, but nothing else of concern. Hinman noted he would not be working at night and would do anything he could to help the bats. Sefcik said Hinman had presented the plans to the Inland Wetlands Agency, but the activity qualifies as agriculture and does not require a wetlands permit. The public hearing closed, and P&Z unanimously approved the special permit application.

There was a brief discussion about the changes proposed for the firehouse. P&Z Chair Christopher Schaut inquired about wheelchair accessibility with the proposal for a gravel path instead of a boardwalk to access City Meadow from the new firehouse. He was assured by Fire Chief Brian Hutchins that wheelchairs would be able to navigate the proposed gravel path. Schaut asked about whether there were any wetlands concerns. Sefcik said the Inland Wetlands Agency had questions about the change and it is on the agenda for the Aug. 4 meeting. P&Z cannot approve matters where wetlands are concerned until approved by Wetlands. Schaut also noted that the firehouse is in the Village District and therefore P&Z has purview over aesthetics, but minor changes could be approved without a public hearing. Wood inquired whether there is a committee responsible for City Meadow and whether they have had a chance to comment. Schaut said a City Meadow committee exists but he did not believe it had any regulatory authority.

Sandra Anasoulis was introduced as a new alternate to P&Z