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Board grants special exception for pole building storage with conditions after neighbors raise concerns
Summary
The Board granted a special exception permitting JSJ Partners’ existing pole building to be used for private, noncommercial storage, subject to conditions requiring an active security system with licence‑plate capture and an evergreen buffer to reduce headlight impacts; the decision followed neighbor complaints about late‑night activity.
The Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception on April 10 allowing an existing pole building at property owned by JSJ Partners LLC to be used for private noncommercial storage of personal property, subject to conditions intended to address neighbors’ concerns about lighting, noise and after‑hours activity.
Applicant Jonathan Anders and other owners said they had built the pole building after hiring a contractor, later terminated, and that they had relied on contractor representations about permits and construction. They acknowledged personal items — cars, a center‑console boat and other household items — were stored in the structure. County staff had cited the owners for noncompliance because the building was not used strictly for agricultural storage as the agricultural permit application anticipated.
Neighbors raised concerns during public comment about late‑night gatherings, headlights and shooting in adjacent fields; one neighbor said senior residents nearby had experienced disturbances. The applicant said he does not rent space and described efforts to remedy code issues, including stopping interior finishing work until the zoning matter was resolved and pursuing options (a tiny home, mobile home or other permanent residence) previously discussed with staff.
The board voted 3–1 to grant the special exception with two explicit conditions described in the approval: installation of an active security system capable of recording license plates and an evergreen buffer along the area where headlight glare was raised as a concern. Board members said the board retains jurisdiction and staff will monitor complaints; if neighborhood impacts continue, staff can bring the matter back to the board for review. The board and staff encouraged the owner to work with neighbors on additional mitigation measures such as cameras, and staff noted final building‑division inspections would be required before occupancy is permitted.
