Zoning Board of Appeals, November 14, 2013-WIECHMANN

TOWN OF HOLDEN

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

KRISTIN WIECHMANN                                                               CASE NO. SP 1312

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on November 14, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall in the Town Hall, 1196 Main Street, Holden, MA  on the Application of Kristin Wiechmann for property located at 29 Brennan Way for a SPECIAL PERMIT to operate a dog daycare.

Members in attendance:  R. Spakauskas, S. Annunziata, R. Fraser, F. Lonardo and J. Deignan.

The Chairman called the meeting to order.  The secretary read the application, findings of fact and five letters pertaining to the case.

The applicant addressed the Board.  First, she would like to correct the findings of fact to change days of operation from Monday – Saturday to Monday through Friday.  She then ad-dressed some of the issues raised by abutters in their letters read tonight.  There will always be noise with the dogs, but most of the time they will spend inside.  Another issue was the matter of a child being bitten by one of her dogs.  Ms. Wiechmann explained to the Board that her dog was tied up and the neighbor’s child aggravated the dog, resulting in a horrible accident.  She intends to establish certain times that people can drop off and pick up their dogs.  There will be a separate driveway for this purpose.  There will also be a six-foot solid fence.

R. Fraser said he viewed the property and felt this was not the location for this type of business.  

J. Deignan expressed his concern with all the abutters’ letters that were read this evening opposing this type of business in their neighborhood.

S. Annunziata asked the size of the fenced in area; it was answered 50’ x 50’.  He also asked if this would have a self-closing gate; it was answered yes.

The Board reviewed the Zoning Bylaws and had some difficulty finding a description of this type of  business under the Table of Use Regulations.

Ms. Wiechmann said she was advised by the Building Commissioner that this special permit needed to be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

 The Board did not understand why this would fall under the purview of the Zoning Board of Appeals and agreed they needed further clarification from Town staff.  

F. Lonardo made a motion to continue this public hearing for up to sixty (60) days.  S. Annunziata seconded.  Vote 5-0, motion approved.

                                                                __________________________________

                                                        Ronald E. Spakauskas, Chairman