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Applicant seeks zoning change for commercial horse-blanket business at 155 Williamsville Road; board advises next steps
Summary
An applicant asked the planning board about changing zoning at 155 Williamsville Road to permit a commercial horse-blanket washing and repair business. The board recommended a meeting with the town planner to pursue either a zoning change or a zoning-enforcement opinion and noted site-specific factors to investigate.
An applicant seeking to move a commercial horse-blanket washing and repair business to 155 Williamsville Road presented a request to the Town of Hubbardston Planning Board on July 2 and was advised to meet with the town planner before the board takes further action.
"Hello. My name is Rebecca. I'm speaking. I'm making a motion to change the zoning, to put a commercial horse blanket washing and repair business in," the applicant said, describing an existing operation in Gardner that she hopes to relocate and expand. Board members and Alec, the town planner, discussed procedural options, including seeking a zoning determination from the building commissioner, applying for a variance to the zoning board of appeals, or pursuing a zoning-map change through a planning-board-led or citizen-petition process at town meeting.
Alec said water use, wastewater, noise and odor are typical issues to evaluate for this type of activity and suggested collecting data from the applicant’s current facility as a test case. He asked the applicant to provide records such as water and wastewater usage so the planning office can assess impacts. Alec also noted the town is conducting a separate business-district review with MRPC and that a commercial-district map and possible bylaw revisions are under study.
Board members also noted the property lies on Williamsville Road, which was characterized during the meeting as a scenic road, and they recommended the applicant consider scenic-road rules and neighborhood impacts. The applicant said the business is currently owner-operated, has been in operation three years in Gardner and may hire employees if space allows. Board members suggested the applicant schedule a meeting with Alec to determine whether the current use would be allowed as an accessory agricultural activity, whether a zoning change would be needed, or whether pursuing a variance is the most expedient route.
No formal action or vote on zoning was taken at the meeting. The planning board did not place the matter on an agenda for decision; instead the board directed the applicant to set a follow-up meeting with Alec to assemble supporting materials and, if needed, seek a formal opinion from the zoning enforcement officer. Alec said he is available for appointments and will work with the applicant to collect data and determine next steps for a zoning opinion, potential district change or variance.
