Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday approved the Site Plan Review draft decision for a four-building, self-storage facility off of County Road, one of which will be multistory.
Board Chairman Arnold Johnson, however, was the lone negative vote, disagreeing that the draft decision should be endorsed so quickly.
The meeting began with discussion of comments from the town’s consulting engineer, Ken Motta that requested manholes be part of the stormwater drainage system. Project engineer Phil Cordeiro disagreed, saying there will be a good, clean flow from the proposed drainage systems, with a 45-degree angle that will not impede water flow.
Board members endorsed the project after agreeing with Cordeiro’s argument and reasoning this will be a private system; a clog or an overflow would not affect public groundwater.
Johnson explained he was the lone dissenting vote simply because “I don’t like approving draft decisions without giving them time to be considered.”
In other action, the board approved the Braley Hill North Solar amended draft decision, which will allow a one-year extension of the permit for a large-scale, photovoltaic installation in a Ground Water Protection District on a Scenic Highway (Route 105) on Braley Hill Road.
The board continued until its September 10 meeting its hearing to amend and extend the special permits for a proposed solar-energy installation on 128 acres at 529, 523 and 0 Snipatuit Road and Featherbed Lane within the Mattapoisett River Valley Watershed and Groundwater Protection District.
Johnson reported the board has received correspondence that the Zoning Board of Appeals has received a Use Variance petition for a plan to construct a multifamily unit on a lot barely more than an acre in size. Johnson proposed, and the board agreed, to send notice to the ZBA that the board opposes such a plan.
Town Planner Nancy Durfee advised inviting Town Counsel to the board’s next meeting to discuss a state bylaw change and a proposed bylaw for the January 6, 2025, Special Town Meeting. The new stated law allows more accessory dwelling units. The town proposal is to eliminate use variances. Both items need Town Counsel’s input, Durfee said.
The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 10, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Planning Board
By Michael J. DeCicco