Town of Wilton, NH

Zoning Board Minutes

October 11, 2000

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Faiman at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Faiman explained the case on the agenda tonight and the procedure to be followed. The Board will ask the applicant for a description of the exception and why it needs a special exception, and why it should be presented. The Zoning Board of Adjustment will then ask questions, after which the public may be able to ask questions. After all information is presented, the ZBA will consider and make a decision. This case is continued from last month, where there was no action at all because some abutters wehre not notified.

Case #9/13/00-1 FITZGERALD

Mr. Faiman asked Kathleen Fitzgerald to explain the special exception. Kathleen Fitzgerald explained she would like to open a small grooming business in the back of her house, mostly for the neighborhood. There would not be a lot of traffic going in and out. Bob Spear asked about how many customers per month would you estimate? Kathleen Fitzgerald answered probably about 20. Neil Faiman commented that the parking lot is 80 x 80 feet, would you be boarding dogs and cats? Kathleen Fitzgerald answered no. Neil Faiman noted she would just be grooming, then the owners would take them home. Bob Spear asked if she has provisions on the property to be holding the animals duirng the day? Kathleen Fitzgerald responded yes, she has a kennel for them while they are waiting to be groomed. Neil Faiman - so no animals will be kept outdoors? Kathleen Fitzgerald answered no.

Joanna Eckstrom asked if this is by appointment only? Kathleen Fitzgerald answered yes. Bob Spear asked, if the business itakes off and is successful, what would your limit be per day? Kathleen answered it would never be more than two animals per day. Bob Spear suggested that it would be up to 60 animals per month? Kathleen Fitzgerald said yes, but I cannot see it getting to that. Neil Faiman stated the requirements of home businesses - it shall not be evident from the road, materials must be concealed from adjacent properties, separate structures could be put up, primary use of the property would remain as a residence, up to two non-family employees would be permitted.

Frank Milward, Building Inspector, commented that there have been a number of houses built on that driveway, they have added to the barn and I will say that the facilities are adequate and I was very impressed by the cleanliness of the property. They will run a very good, straight business. Neil Faiman - one thing is dogs barking, I would like to have it written in that animals would be kept indoors and would be groomed only, not boarded. Bob Spear thinks the animals may be allowed to go outside to relieve themselves, but it would not be a good idea for them to go outside for a length of time. Joanna Eckstrom asked Ms. Fitzgerald if she owns dogs? Ms. Fitzgerald answered yes, four dogs. Joanna Eckstrom asked if she has a kennel? Ms. Fitzgerald answered yes, a small one. Bob Spear would not want that expanded to accommodate additional dogs. Mr. Spear thinks we need to define something so that the kennel does not get expanded.

Neil Faiman said the activity would be conducted indoors and there would be no boarding of animals. We would want to have a detailed plan if you were going to expand into boarding. Joanna Eckstrom - if weather is bad, my dog has stayed overnight, but that is the exception not the rule. Ron Hanisch - wejust don't want it to turn into a boarding kennel.

Joanna Eckstrom - will you have a sign outdoors? Ms. Fitzgerald - a small one at the top of the drieveway if it is permissible. Neil Faiman - that would be fine. You are limited to 2 feet by 2 feet. Frank Milward added that for a sign they would have to apply for a permit. Neil Faiman - the Planning Board will ask where the sign will go. Ron Hanisch suggested that we not address the boarding issue in the motion at all. If the line gets crossed, we will come to see the applicant.

Chairman Faiman explalined that written approval will be forthcoming in the next few days.Tthe Selectman or anyone affected by the decision may request another meeting in writing within 20 days and file in the town offices. In the absence of such a request, the decision will be final. There was no further discussion.

OTHER BUSINESS

Minutes - 9/13/00

Discussion - Abutter identification

There was a discussion concerning the process for identifying abutters for cases.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,