By Beth David, Editor
In a meeting that dragged on to just before 9:30 p.m., the Fairhaven Planning Board denied one petition and continued another on 8/8.
CarriCorp Industries was back in front of the board trying to get approval for a gas station and convenience store on the southeast corner of Bridge Street and Route 240.
Engineer Steven Gioiosa of SITEC presented plans to the board that took into consideration comments made from original plans submitted last month. Mr. Gioiosa reported that the Conservation Commission had approved the plans, and that the Nasketucket River was more than 200 feet away.
Before the hearing began, attorney Andrew Saunders asked the board to continue the hearing to give Mass. DOT and SRPEDD (Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District) time to finish traffic studies and road layout studies. There has been some discussion about adding a left-turn lane on Route 240, and widening Bridge Street, due to increased traffic from the recently built medical facilities on Mill Road.
The board opted to hear the plans, noting that they could still continue the hearing, but they would at least get the process started and be able to make suggestions.
After all the details of the six-pump, drive-through, and 4,600 square-foot convenience store were discussed at length, PB Chairperson Wayne Hayward took issue with the plans, saying that the Nasketucket River was not indicated on it.
Mr. Gioiosa that the river was on an adjacent lot that would not be controlled by the owners of the new facility, and reiterated that it was more than 200 feet away from the proposed development and that the ConCom had approved the plans.
Mr. Hayward, however, said that he felt the ConCom should not have approved it because the river is near the property. He also said that if the PB approved the plan as shown, there could be problems later on with the adjacent lots. He said he wanted to see build-out plans for those lots.
Mr. Gioiosa, owners Alexander Carrigg and Bob Carrigg, all said that CarriCorp had no plans to buy that lot, and any build-out would be pure speculation. Mr. Hayward insisted that he see some kind of plans for the adjacent lots and also new drawings that show the Nasketucket River.
In the end the board voted to continue the hearing to 9/20 to give time for Mass. DOT and SRPEDD to finish their analyses, and for the petitioners to create drawings that include build-out plans for the lot they do not own and do not plan to buy.
PB member Nicholas Carrigg, who is related to the project owners, was absent from the meeting. He has recused himself from all proceedings of the petition.
In another matter, the board voted against a request for a frontage waiver to subdivide the property at 59 Gellette Road. Mr. Hayward recused himself from the meeting and left the room, as he is an abutter.
The subdivision would have created two lots, one with 100 feet of frontage, which is the minimum required; and one 85.16 feet wide.
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Click here to download the entire 8/17/17 issue: 08-17-17 HinoharaMem
