Swansea planning board approves site-plan modification to allow landscaping business where apartments had been planned

The Swansea Planning Board on May 8 approved a site-plan modification for a property owned by John Lesser that replaces an approved apartment building with a smaller landscaping sales building and shop.

The modification removes the previously approved apartment units, replaces them with about a 30-by-40-foot sales building and the existing rear shop, leaves most of the previously approved front paving in place while keeping the rear area as compacted gravel, and establishes outdoor stalls and bins for mulch, compost and stone sales.

Planning consultant John Newnan of Fieldstone Landings said the revised footprint is smaller than the original approval and that utilities shown in the prior approval have not yet been installed. He said the infiltration basin and drainage features from the original site work have been in place and functioning for over a year. Board members questioned whether the prior approval’s one-year “active and substantial development” requirement had been satisfied; planning staff and the applicant said substantial site work (drainage and the retention basin) was completed, but the building and utility hookups remain pending.

Board members also discussed driveway and paving details. The front portion of the lot will remain paved as previously approved; a driveway through the building footprint will be hard-packed rather than asphalted and the rear material-storage stalls will sit on gravel or compacted pads rather than a new paved area. Newnan said the metal-panel building has been ordered and is planned to be installed in August, with landscaping and fencing to follow after building installation.

The board moved that the change qualify as a site-plan modification rather than requiring a new site plan. The motion was made by Michael York and seconded by Brandon (last name not specified). The board voted in favor, approving the modification.

Planning staff and the applicant also noted the town has expressed interest in widening West Street and may seek an easement or tie runoff into the existing infiltration basin; the applicant said the basin could accommodate town drainage and that minor realignment next to the driveway may be needed.

The board recorded that utilities (municipal sewer, municipal water and underground electric) were not yet installed and will be completed when the building proceeds. The board asked that future substantial changes — for example, any expansion beyond the current footprint or increased paving — be brought back for review.

The approval was limited to the modification presented: removal of the apartment component, construction of the smaller landscaping building and the site layout described by the applicant. The applicant was reminded that any further enlargement or change in use would require additional review or a new site plan.