Planning board approves zoning for single-family home at about 340 West Main; tables home gun‑sales inquiry, names floodplain manager

The Cleveland Town Planning and Zoning board on Wednesday approved zoning clearance for a proposed single‑family house near 340 West Main Street, tabled a separate inquiry about a resident selling firearms from a home and named a floodplain manager.

The decision to approve the zoning clearance came after the applicant, identified in the meeting as Cameron, presented a plot map and house plans showing a one‑story rambler with a basement on a lot of roughly 0.26 acres. Cameron said the lot provides approximately 11,000 square feet; board members confirmed the parcel exceeds the town’s 7,500‑square‑foot minimum for the residential zone and that the proposed setbacks are consistent with neighboring houses. "I’ve got my plot map that is drawn up, and I’ve also got my plans that show the dimensions," Cameron said while describing the 30‑foot front setback, side setbacks of about 14 feet 8 inches and 15 feet, and a rear setback of roughly 63 feet 6 inches.

Why it matters: the board’s clearance lets the applicant pursue a building permit with the county, the next required step before construction. Board members also noted utility connections: culinary water appears available at the rear of the lot and sewer lines run toward the back; the applicant said he had discussed power needs with the utility and that a transformer placement was expected.

Votes at a glance: the board took several formal actions during the meeting. A motion to approve the zoning clearance for the single‑family dwelling passed by voice vote. Separately, the board unanimously approved last month’s minutes; members voted to table the question of whether a resident, identified in the agenda as Josh Taylor, may legally operate firearm sales from a private home while staff and board members check applicable county, state and federal permitting requirements (including whether ATF registration or other approvals apply). The board also voted to appoint Will Gardner as the board’s floodplain manager and to move the January meeting one time to Thursday, Jan. 2, returning thereafter to the first‑Wednesday schedule.

Discussion and next steps: on the home‑building item, board members asked the applicant to obtain an assigned building site address from the county and to secure county building permits; the chair confirmed that once permits are in hand, the applicant will return documentation as needed. On the firearms inquiry, members said the town’s ordinance book does not explicitly regulate "arms" sales from a residence and requested that staff check county rules and any state or federal licensing that may apply before the board takes action. Regarding floodplain management, Tracy nominated Will Gardner to serve as the town’s floodplain manager; Nancy seconded the nomination, and the board approved the appointment.

Chair’s procedural notes: the board opened the meeting, conducted the pledge of allegiance, approved minutes from the prior public hearing and regular meeting, handled the action items listed above and adjourned. The board set the January meeting for Thursday, Jan. 2 only, and will resume the normal first‑Wednesday schedule beginning in February.

The board did not receive public comment at the meeting. The applicant for 340 West Main was directed to contact the county for the building permit and an assigned address before construction filings move forward.