BOARD MEMBERS: Chairperson Neil Faiman; members Andy Hoar, Joe Poisson, Carol Roberts and Alternate Eric Fowler.
| Agenda | Benson – Special Exception |
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Chairman Faiman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and appointed Eric Fowler to the Board for Jim Tuttle.
After review, a MOTION was made by Ms. Roberts and SECONDED by Mr. Poisson to approve the minutes from October 13, 2009 as amended.
Voting 4 ayes; motion carried with Mr. Fowler abstaining as he was not at the meeting.
Chairman Faiman read the public notice as follows:
Marcia M. Benson and Kim T. Benson have applied for a special exception under section 5.3.1 of the Wilton Zoning Ordinance, to permit a barber shop as a home occupation in the existing home on Lot F–140, 160 Intervale Road.
Marcia Benson appeared before the Board and explained that she is a master barber and she relocated to Wilton two years ago. She stated that she has been employed in Hollis for the last year and a half and she wants to reopen her own business here. She also noted that previously she had her own shop in Nashua but that she thinks working out of her home is a less expensive way to develop clientele before she moves to a local barber shop. She explained that she has converted a bedroom to a cutting room. She also explained that this did not involve any structural changes but she has put a hair cutting station, a mirror, and chairs for waiting clients in the room. She noted that she only expects to have two people at a time, one current and one waiting, as she will be working by appointment only.
In response to a question from Ms. Roberts, Ms. Benson stated she is currently residing at the home and the room is 125 SF.
In response to a question from Ms. Robert, Mr. Faiman stated that he has driven by the home and he believes it to be 1,000 to 1,500 SF.
Mr. Hoar explained that if one accepts Mr. Faiman’s estimate the business area is less than 20% of the home which Mr. Faiman noted is secondary and incidental in nature.
In response to a question from Mr. Hoar, Ms. Benson stated that she can fit six cars in her driveway.
In response to a question from Mr. Poisson, Ms. Benson stated that her house is on the corner of Intervale Road and 101 but the access is on Intervale Road.
In response to a question from Mr. Faiman, Mr. Benson stated that she will not have any employees.
In response to a question Mr. Poisson, Ms. Benson stated that she will only have her current standard outside lighting.
In response to a question from Mr. Faiman, Ms. Benson stated that she will be applying for a small standard non illuminated sign that says master barber with her phone number on it. She noted that she is really opening just a cutting room rather than a barber shop.
In response to question from Ms. Roberts, Ms. Benson stated that her clients can use the side and front door and she will direct clients to the safest entrance in bad weather.
In response to a question from Mr. Faiman, Ms. Benson stated that she would like to see clients from 10 am to 6 pm on Tuesday through Friday and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday but noted that she will not necessarily be working all those hours.
In response to a question from Ms. Roberts, Ms. Benson confirmed that none of the changes are prohibitive of using the room for something else in the future.
In response to a question from Mr. Fowler, Ms. Benson stated that the parking would be in the driveway and having cars parked there will not interfere with emergency vehicle access.
In response to a question from Ms. Roberts, Ms. Benson stated that she will not be receiving any deliveries.
In response to a question from Mr. Hoar, Mr. Faiman stated that the site has good access and a good line of sight as it is not off of Route 101 directly but very close.
A MOTION was made by Ms. Roberts and SECONDED by Mr. Hoar to grant the special exception for a home occupation on Lot F-140 at 160 Intervale Road provided that there are not employees and the business hours are 10 am to 6 pm on Tuesday through Friday and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday.
Voting: 5 ayes; motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Mr. Hoar and SECONDED by Mr. Poisson to adjourn the meeting.
Voting: 5 ayes; motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Faiman declared the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Submitted by Heather Loewy Nichols