West Marlborough's Zoning Hearing Board has decided that Linda Brown's personal-training business at her North Chatham Road home in Springdell can continue operating and now complies with the township's zoning.
The fact that Mrs. Brown was running a business out of her home was brought to the township's attention by K.C. Kulp, one of the owners of The Whip tavern in Springdell. (A bit of context: Linda and her husband Gus Brown are among those who have complained repeatedly that the Whip has been in violation of township zoning laws and is diminishing the quality of life in Springdell.) After receiving that information, the township zoning officer informed the Browns that they would need to apply for a special exception to continue running the business.
At a March 1 hearing, Gus Brown told the board that there was ample parking for his wife's clients, whom she sees one at a time; that she does not intend to hold group classes; and that there would not be a sign out front advertising the business.
Mr. Kulp showed the board photos of the lack of required screening between the Browns' home and their neighbors. He also pointed out that Cathy Huston, wife of zoning board member Joe Huston, is a client of Mrs. Brown's (the Hustons are also part of the group that has taken legal action against the Whip). Mr. Huston subsequently recused himself from the vote.
After voting 3-0 to approve the special exception, the zoning board instructed Mr. Brown to obtain within 30 days letters from his neighbors saying they didn't object to the lack of driveway screening between the Browns' home and theirs.
I do believe that Mr. Huston should have recused himself at the beginning of the hearing instead of waitng until Mr. Kulp confronted him. He surely was aware that his wife was a client of the petitioner.
ReplyDeleteMr. S, I didn't even write about the first part of the evening because I still don't understand what it was all about or what the denial will mean. Will Mr. Waltson have to remove his deck? Or does it mean he can't take down the moldy old trailer?
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