The January 19 meeting of the Marion Planning Board was very brief, with only one filing before the members for their consideration. But with time available, the board members aired their positive feelings about new businesses in the community, and at least one member the need for evenhanded deliberations.
Vice-Chairman Andrew Daniel said he felt good about being a member of the Planning Board, saying, “We’ve worked on projects that benefit the community.… They’ve made an impact on the town.” He commented that he and his wife had recently enjoyed time together in the community frequenting new businesses that he described as “phenomenal.”
Member Chris Collings, however, had a bit of a different take on the work handled by the Planning Board. He shared that a resident had questioned him about what was perceived as an imbalance in site plan reviews, saying, “We should give thought to how we approach these projects.” The resident had questioned why one filing seemed to be taken to task, while another seemingly received a free pass. “We don’t always approach the projects the same way.”
Daniel responded that the two projects being noted, one that included steel buildings and the other a boatyard, were two entirely different matters. “The boatyard doesn’t have a project. When they do, we’ll hold it to the same standard,” he said.
Collings added that when businesses are doing their research, they look for “evenhandedness” as they anticipate the cost of doing business with a town.
Member Norm Hills said, “Every project is governed by the lot they are on.” Member Eileen Marum added, “You have to think about where those lots are located.”
“Whether it’s a candy shop or Tabor [Academy], they are handled the same,” Daniel stated.
As for business on the agenda, the site plan review of the proposed Tabor Academy Campus Center, 85 Spring Street, was continued until Monday, February 1, at 7:00 pm, pending the peer-review report from SITEC. Daniel said that the report had just been received earlier in the day, which prevented the board from having adequate time to study the findings.
The board members approved an Approval Not Required (ANR) for the conveyance of 5,000 square feet of open land from the adjacent parcel to the lot owned by David and Susan Titus at 36 South Street. Bob Rogers of G.A.F. Engineering said that it was merely a conveyance that would give the Titus residence “a bit of backyard.”
The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for February 1 at 7:00 pm.
Marion Planning Board
By Marilou Newell