Lanesborough Planners Say Dollar General Short on Land
 The Planning Board discussed the plans at their monthly meeting on Monday. |
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Planning Board says there isn't enough frontage nor acreage on the parcel proposed for the development of a Dollar General.
Primax Properties is looking to buy the former Party Barn on Route 7 to build the store.
The company needs a special permit to build a 9,100 square-foot building because the current property owner, Liam Shirley, currently has one to operate a storage business. The Planning Board previously continued a public hearing on the proposal and will return next Monday to finish it.
However, since the parcel will be divided, the Planning Board said on Monday that it will not have the 100 feet of frontage required nor will there be the needed two acres.
The only option, planners said, is if the company purchases the entire parcel including the land the storage business is on.
"Whatever they do, it all has to be owned by the same person," Planner Jeff DeChaine said of the entire 3.1 acres.
The board reviewed property maps on Monday, attempting to see what options the company had to be eligible for the permit. The frontage requirement is being contended by the company because access is in the rear, where there would be enough. The Planning Board says the frontage needs to be on the side facing the road.
"The killer for them is going to be the frontage," Chairman John Friend said.
There is an unnamed road on the maps that is partially built out as the driveway. The mapped road is intended to serve as access to multiple lots behind the storage business. The board considered having the company build the road, which would give them enough frontage.
But even then, there is still not enough acreage to fill requirements.
"The easiest, cleanest way for us, maybe not to them, is to buy the storage spaces," Friend said.
The store proposal triggered complaints from residents from the public hearing last week. Residents said the businesses would put smaller, locally owned stores out of business and increase traffic congestion for a store the town doesn't need.
Planners said they can't pass judgment on the type of business, they can only judge whether it meets the land requirements.
"No matter how we feel, they still have their right," said Planner Robert Rubin.
In other business, the Friend told the board that neighbors to the proposed aerial adventure park are expected to file an appeal in Land Court of the board's special permit.
Tags: dollar store, Planning Board, public hearing,
