N.A. Planners Deny Day Care, Approve Car Sales
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The Cheshire resident had applied to the city for a special permit to operate a day-care center in the former Our Lady of Incarnation Church at 1288 Massachusetts Ave.
But he arrived at Monday's Planning Board meeting just in time to hear his application denied, having missed the public hearing portion a half hour earlier.
On Tuesday, Girard said he had no one to blame but himself for confusing what time the meeting started. He thought it was at 7, like in Becket, where he is a building inspector; but the North Adams board starts at 6.
"I wish I'd been there," he said.
The city had recommended against the permit because Girard's proposal was short on certain details and did not include a state-licensed operator. The day care would also be open six days a week, so there were concerns over traffic and parking.
Girard purchased the building for $75,000 a year ago.
He had wanted to go forward with preparing the space while he searched for a qualified operator. But he never got to state his case. The Planning Board denied the application after no one appeared to speak for it. "We've never had an applicant that didn't show up for the hearing," said Planning Board Chairman Michael Leary.
"I had really hoped that they would allow me to look for qualified people," said Girard.
The denial meant his application couldn't be resubmitted for two years, but he was hopeful he could find an operator to apply for the permit instead. "The only way is to get someone else," he said.
Dealerships on Notice
Discussion over several automobile sales and repair applications brought up sign and parking issues that have irked the board for some time.
Dealers have frequently gone over their inventory limits, said Building Inspector William Meranti, who asked the board to review the city's car lots.
The issue arose over the number of vehicles to be allowed on William Bump's proposed used car lot at 362 State Road. The Office of Community Development recommended 15, in part because Bump's plan did not specify the number on his site plan.
Bump said he "thought it was relatively clear where the cars would be parked" but Meranti said the city would expect to see not a blocked-off area but how the vehicles would actually fit.
"I don't want you to paint lines," said board member William Schrade, but to show the parking pattern.
Limiting the number of cars would affect his business, said Bump. "You can't open up a gas station and have one pump ... with the car business being what it is today, you have to have choices."
"Fifteen cars is not an awful lot of cars," he continued. "At what point in time can I apply for more cars?"
Bump's landlord, William Rose, also asked the board to be more lenient and allow him another five or 10. "I'll keep an eye on him."
Leary said the Bump could always come back before the board to ask to have the number modified, which it could be if he was in compliance with the board's conditions. But the board's experience with car lots had not been good.
"They come in and ask for 20 and they got 50, we've seen it time and time again," said Leary. "I'd like to say I trust you more than anybody else but we start out with a limit and then it's three times that limit.
"I am in full agreement that this board has to take a stand."
The board approved the lot with a 15-vehicle limit on the condition that Bump provide a better site plan and improve the signage.
Meranti asked that the board review a number of car lots and determine if they within the conditions placed on them. Leary told him to supply the Compliance Committee with a list.
The board also:
The city was concerned about traffic and parking; the board questioned plans to remove fencing and pave the delivery area because neither the building's owner nor a representative was present to confirm that. A site visit will be scheduled before the next meeting; the board requested the owner attend.
The board has set out a number of conditions, including landscaping, that have not yet been met, although Piechowski is making a good effort to get them done despite delays outside his control, said Meranti. Joyce Wrend, who lives near the property, said Piechowski was "a good neighbor."
