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Residents press council on Sweetberry Farm plan; council clarifies planning-board jurisdiction
Summary
Residents raised concerns about a proposed large venue at Sweetberry Farm — traffic, septic and neighborhood impacts — and the council explained that the proposal is a private development under a conservation easement and will be reviewed by the planning board, not the council, unless rezoning is requested.
Several residents used the public-comment period to press the council about a proposed development at Sweetberry Farm that residents say would replace open space and create traffic and infrastructure concerns.
Theresa Spangler (S18) described the site as a residential neighborhood with narrow roads and little sidewalk infrastructure and said the proposed 26,000-square-foot venue and associated events would increase traffic, deliveries and noise. "This facility will increase more traffic... I just really encourage you to think long and hard, please," she said.
Councilors and legal staff explained the application is a private development-review matter and that, because the property is subject to a conservation easement between the property owner and a land trust, planning-board review—not council action—will oversee the application unless a rezoning is sought. Solicitor / planning staff (S9) said the conservation easement allows certain agricultural-support structures and farm-stand uses and that the town is reviewing the easement and the planning-board submission to confirm compliance.
Town staff said residents may appeal planning-board decisions to superior court if dissatisfied, and encouraged residents to attend the planning-board hearing scheduled for March 13 at 6 p.m. (as announced in the meeting). No council action on the proposal was taken at the meeting.
