North Adams Planners Approve Taxi, Secondhand Shop
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A taxi service whose plans were derailed when its owner died was approved on Monday under his wife's name.
The Planning Board approved a special permit to allow Susan McMillian to operate City Cab at 54 River St.
Her husband, Michael McMillian, had been operating the taxi business out of his home but applied in late summer last year to work out of the River Street location after complaints related to the number of vehicles being used for a "home occupation."
McMillian, however, died on Oct. 20, and the board continued the hearing scheduled in November. Susan McMillian had appeared before the board in December but planners noted that they could not approve an application that did not have her name on it.
Once she had applied for the permit under her own name, it was approved after a brief public hearing.
McMillian is currently operating from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. but was approved for 24-hour operation so she could expand her hours if needed.
The board also approved an application by James E. Montepare to operate a secondhand business at 432 State Road. The location required a special permit because it is in a residential zone, and is the first commercial spot to be resurrected under the city's new ordinance that prevents it from reverting to surrounding zoning.
The building, formerly the NAPA parts store, has been vacant for some time because it is an existing commercial building sited in a residential zone. Because it had not been used commercially for more than two years, the property would be considered residential even though it is not conducive to residential use.
The ordinance authored by former City Councilor Wayne Wilkinson last year allowed it to again be used for commercial ventures by special permit.
Montepare, who also sells antiques and secondhand items at Berkshire Emporium & Antiques and at the former Williamstown Youth Center, said the building would be used to store larger items and furniture sets. He asked for regular business hours but anticipated the inventory being sold online or by appointment.
"I have a lot of heavy big inventory I don't want to lug around," he told the board. "If people are interested in purchashing such an item [they can make an appointment]. If I would wnat to open, I would like to have the ability to do so."
Planners complimented him on improving the appearance of the building, which has a new paint job, and approved the permit with the condition he file an exterior lighting plan with the building department.
In other business, planners asked Building Inspector William Meranti to look into the permit related to the BP gas station. The station at Canal and Eagle streets not longer sells gas but has maintained its tiny drive-up convenience store.
Chairman Michael Leary said the kiosk was an accessory to the gas station permit.
"They're clearly not following the conditions of the permit," he said. "They should be notified they are not operating as permitted and should file for a change of use. I would tell them time is of essence."
Meranti said he would also check with the city solicitor and report back in March.
Tags: antiques, Planning Board, secondhand, taxi,
