WESTFIELD – The Planning Board had a short agenda on Tuesday, as the scheduled continuation of a compliance review for Boise Cascade, the lumberyard at Union Street and Fowler St. extension was continued until May 2 at the company’s request. The board is reviewing operating issues, including noise and light pollution to an abutting property.
Planning Board reviews plans during Tuesday’s meeting.
A public hearing for Boise Cascade that was continued by the City Council on March 16 will resume at this Thursday’s, April 6 council meeting. The lumberyard is seeking to change its operating hours to allow for 24-hour operation.
At the Planning Board meeting, a public hearing was held for a special permit to allow for a zoning lot at 40 Granville Road. Gary Russell, who spoke on behalf of his parents who own the adjacent lot said the 4+ acre lot is 2.5 feet short on frontage, at approximately 121 feet. Russell said the lot is already on the tax rolls of the City of Westfield as a building lot, due to a prior subdivision.
Planning Board chair Philip McEwan said a special permit may be issued providing the lot size is greater than the average of 60% of neighboring homes. McEwan said the findings from city assessor’s map showed a 93.7 foot average frontage in the neighborhood.
Several neighbors spoke in support of the special permit at the public hearing, including Daniel Call of 78 Granville Road. Call said a single family home would be a positive for the neighborhood.
A spokesperson for the residents of 14 Granville Road also spoke in support of the special permit, but expressed a concern about the removal of trees on the back half of the lot. City planner Jay Vinskey informed the Planning Board that it is within their discretion on a special permit to control buffers.
Russell said in response to a question that the owner’s daughter may want to build a house there, but there are no immediate plans.
The special permit was approved unanimously for a house no further south than the existing house at number 40, consistent with the style, scale and character of the neighborhood. No buffer was voted.
The board also voted on several modifications suggested by Vinskey to the general and standard conditions of special permits, site plans and stormwater permits which are under review. Added was “prior written approval” required for changes to permits, in place of “subject to further review.” Vinskey said the language strengthens the provision.
A change was also suggested to stormwater conditions testing once a year, to add “submitted to the city.” Both revisions were approved by the board with appreciation to Vinskey.
