MARSHFIELD DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

Approved Minutes of July 28, 2005

Board Members present: James Arisman, Tom Daley, and Jon Groveman. Also attending: Zoning Administrator Bob Light, Alan Christiansen, Brian Graves, and Audrey Huntington.

At 7:00 pm the Board opened Public Hearing on the Site Plan application of Alan and Rosemary Christiansen. They own a home on 61 acres on Maple Hill Road, and wish to build another home on the same lot. Alan submitted a rough drawing of the lot, depicting the locations of both the existing and proposed homes, the driveway access, and the various setback distances. Bob reported that he had visited the property and saw no problems with the proposal from his perspective as Zoning Administrator. No objections or concerns were raised by anyone in attendance. The hearing was closed at 7:10 pm; the Board will issue a written approval.

Bob raised with the Board several issues that had lately come before him as Zoning Administrator. One concerned the possibility of drilling a well in the Forestry and Conservation zoning district, to supply water for a year-round residence that would be built in the Agricultural and Rural Residential district. No one on the DRB felt that the well should be prohibited as an impermissible use of the F&C District, if it were truly necessary to a residence that in itself would be permitted.                        Bob also reported that he had received an inquiry from a party that was considering converting the Maple Hill School to a facility that Bob characterized as a half-way house for female prisoners who were being released. The school had been a permitted use in the Agricultural and Rural Residential District, but would this be? After consulting the Zoning Regulations, the Board felt that this type of facility would be among the uses listed as requiring a Conditional Use permit. Even if it were a private, non-profit operation, the Regulations would define it as a commercial use.

At 7:25 pm the Board reviewed the Site Plan application of Paul and Kathy Codling and Joseph Codling. They wish to add two new homes to a residential lot owned by Jean Codling on Maple Hill Rd. The applicants had previously submitted a detailed drawing of their plans to Bob. Taken together, the Board found the application materials complete and set a public hearing on the matter for Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 8:15 pm.

At 7:30 pm the Board opened public hearing on the Appeal of Brian Graves. Brian owns a lot of approximately 2.5 acres on the Cabot Road. His application to build a residence on this lot was denied by the Zoning Administrator because it is entirely within the Floodplain and Water Conservation zoning district, which prohibits residential construction. Brian stated that the previous owner of this lot had been in contact with the State in the 1980’s about the possibility of building a house on this site. Brian expects to receive State permit approval for his own construction, so long as he meets the fill and siting requirements described in this earlier correspondence. Audrey Huntington, who has resided for 53 years on an adjoining lot on the other side of the road, stated that in her time the property in question has only flooded once.

            Jon asked Brian if he was requesting a Variance from Marshfield’s zoning restrictions in order to build on this lot. He directed Brian’s attention to the ennumerated Variance criteria in the Zoning Regulations, and asked a few questions about whether he felt that his position met the requirements for a Variance approval. Following discussion between Brian, Bob, and the Board, hearing was closed at 7:55 pm; the Board will issue a written Decision.