Plaistow planners give informal go‑ahead to amended site‑plan approach for material storage at 22 Old Road

Michael Malinowski of Allen and Major Associates presented a conceptual consultation for a contractor’s yard and material storage at 22 Old Road (Tax Map 29, Lot 40) and asked whether the planning board would require a full site‑plan amendment and resurvey to show historical material‑storage areas. “We are here as, for such a discussion for property or at 20 Old Road… they would just like to be able to store loam, screen loam, and potentially bark mulch,” Malinowski said, describing the proposed operation as ancillary to excavation and landscape work and not a retail nursery. Board members reviewed historic site plans (Center Brothers/ProQuip) that show a material‑storage area in the same general location and discussed whether the current tenant’s proposed activity — screening and selling small quantities of soil and mulch derived from excavation operations — would be permitted by right as part of a contractor’s yard. Malinowski said the storage would remain within an existing gravel parking area, with measures such as concrete waste‑block bays to contain piles and prevent material migration off the site. Planning staff identified two procedural paths: (1) a formal site‑plan amendment and new survey and recording at the registry of deeds, which would impose a surveying cost to place the change on a recorded site plan, or (2) a recorded notice of decision with an administrative amendment held in the town file that would avoid a full resurvey while making stipulations enforceable. Board members expressed concern about potential impacts on nearby residences and wetlands, the scale of piles, hours of operation, and traffic access; Malinowski and board members noted equipment access would likely use the connector and Route 125 rather than Old Road. By consensus the board indicated it was supportive of pursuing an amendment process that avoids a full 22‑acre survey and recording if the applicant provides sufficient detail about materials, containment, and limits of retail activity. Planning staff said the board could add specific conditions to the decision (for example, prohibiting composting or a nursery) and record those conditions without requiring a new recorded site plan. Malinowski said he would prepare and submit an application for formal review and expected to return to the board next month. No formal vote was recorded; the board asked the applicant to submit an amended application outlining storage locations, containment measures, and any proposed limitations on sales or hours of operation.