Planning Board grants waiver to allow food pantry at Lansing Millis Train Station with accessibility conditions

The Planning Board voted May 12 to grant a waiver of site-plan review for a proposed small-scale community food pantry to operate within a portion of the town-owned Lansing Millis Train Station at 64 Exchange Street.

Town staff read a letter from Town Administrator Michael J. Kaczynski requesting the waiver on the town’s behalf and said the proposed interior use would have minimal traffic and no material impacts on parking, drainage, lighting or utilities. "Given that the project consists solely of an interior change and use within the existing municipal building and will not result in any significant impacts typically addressed through site plan review, the town respectfully request that the planning board grant a waiver," the letter stated.

Elizabeth Derwin, director of the Millis Food Pantry, told the board the pantry will move to the train station first floor in early June. Board members asked about accessibility: Derwin said a ramp is in process and that she would confirm whether handicap parking signs are already in place.

The board added conditions requiring the ramp, handicap signage and pavement markings be completed prior to opening, and noted that the building inspector should confirm the occupant load used to determine the required number of accessible spaces. After adding the conditions, the board approved the waiver by voice vote.

The decision allows the food pantry to proceed to occupy the municipal space but requires staff follow-up to verify the accessibility measures before operations begin.