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Board schedules site visit, continues Levi Lane automotive site hearing after cleanup and zoning concerns
Summary
The board set a March 29 site visit and continued the public hearing to April 17 for a property at 20 Levi Lane where the operator (Astar Oil/Albert Properties) seeks variances and special‑use relief; residents and board members raised concerns about prior unpermitted activity, fines, stormwater and potential contamination.
Attorney Hagop Joharjan appeared for Albert Properties and said his client seeks special‑use and minor dimensional variances for a mixed commercial/vehicle service site at 20 Levi Lane. Joharjan said the property contained a number of preexisting buildings and that some dilapidated structures and materials were on site when his client purchased the parcel in 2016; he said his client performed cleanup and had been engaged in municipal‑court proceedings and fines related to past violations.
Board action and site visit The board voted to conduct a site visit at 9:00 a.m. on March 29 and continued the hearing to April 17 (time‑permitting) so members could inspect the property in person before acting on special‑use and dimensional relief. The motion for a site visit carried with a majority; one member recorded opposition to in‑person site visits as a practice but the board directed staff to plan the visit.
What the application would change Counsel said the applicant seeks to regularize four existing buildings (including one eastward building counsel described as preexisting) and to obtain a special use permit to store construction equipment and materials. Joharjan stated there are no current plans to store fuel on the property; he said oil‑delivery trucks using the site leave empty and do not refuel there.
Resident concerns and enforcement history Several residents and board members said the site had a history of unpermitted structures, tires in wetlands that required DEM involvement, and apparent accumulation of construction debris and vehicles. The attorney said some fines (municipal court penalties in the low‑thousands) were imposed and some cleanup occurred as part of the court and enforcement process; he also said the applicant is negotiating to acquire adjacent parcels (GlobalSignal property) that could enable a future connector road, although any connection would require separate engineering and permits.
Permitting and outstanding items The applicant and staff said a DEM stormwater/alteration application has been submitted and remains under review. Joharjan said his clients were willing to work with the town and would present updated drawings if they acquire the abutting parcel. The board emphasized that any approvals could be conditioned on full cleanup, DEM stormwater approval and specific conditions addressing storage, setbacks and site management.
Next steps The planning board will inspect the site on March 29 at 9:00 a.m.; the public hearing was continued to the board’s April 17 agenda for further testimony and possible action after the visit.
