MARSHFIELD DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

Approved Minutes of May 4, 2006

Board Members present: James Arisman, Tom Daley, Martin Johnson and Gary Wilson. Also attending: Zoning Administrator Bob Light, Mark Hart, David Lawrence, Renee Lawrence, and Pete Surridge.

At 7:00 the Board held an initial meeting with Mark Hart, who is applying for a two-lot Subdivision of his property on Holt Road. As proposed, one lot will be 9.6 acres and include an existing home, and the other will be a new building lot of 5.5 acres. Mark brought his completed Subdivision appliction with him, but the Board requested that he submit it to the Town Clerk during office hours. The Board found the proposal to be a Minor Subdivision under the Town’s Subdivision Regulations, and set a public hearing date of June 1, 2006 at 7:15 pm. The Board will issue a Sketch Plan determination letter in the interim.

At 7:20 pm the Board opened Public Hearing on the Appeal and Variance Request of David and Renee Lawrence. They wish to build a garage on their lot on Bunker Hill Circle. The Appellants represented to the Board that such a garage cannot be built on their lot in strict confomity with the Zoning Regulations, because the only practical location for this building would have to be closer to one of the property lines than the 15 feet minimum setback required of structures in the Village Residential zoning district. They testified to the Board that having this outbuilding was necessary for the reasonable enjoyment of their small residential lot. No neighboring landowners appeared to object to the request. Hearing was closed at 7:55 pm; the Board will issue a written decision.

Bob then reported to the Board that he had before him a Zoning Permit request to replace a mobile home on the Groton Forest Road, but he had questions about what Zoning District it was in. As he eyeballs it, it looks like it may be at least 600 feet from the public road, which would put it in the Forest and Conservation district. Some discussion followed about how the Town could be sure of such a setback distance to a proposed residence, without incurring unnecessary expenses for the taxpayers. There was eventual consensus that, if Bob is concerned about the accuracy of such a measurement as provided in a permit application, he can warn the applicant that they must provide a written statement from a Licensed Surveyor as part of the application, or he will deny it.

At 8:10 pm James moved to approve the minutes of April 6, 2006 and April 26, 2006 as drafted; seconded by Gary — all in favor. The Board then looked over a Site Plan application submitted by John and Sue Morris. They wish to add a second home to their property on the Groton Forest Rd. The Board set a Public Hearing on the application for Thursday, June 1, 2006 at 7:30 pm.

The Board then entered a brief discussion about the resignation of DRB Chair Jon Groveman, and whether they should select a replacement Chair. Each of the remaining members was reluctant to commit to this position indefinitely. Eventually the Board nominated James as acting DRB Chair; approved unanimously.

At 8:15 pm the Board went into closed session to deliberate on the Lawrence Appeal. At 8:35 pm Martin moved to adjourn the DRB meeting. Seconded by James, all in favor.

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Tom Daley