Planning board schedules Dec. 22 public hearing for Madison Digs retail use at Harland Smith Road

The Buxton Planning Board voted unanimously to set a public hearing on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. for a conditional-use application from Madison Digs Ranching Flower Shop, proposing a furniture and flower retail use at 172 Harland Smith Road (Map 18, Lot 3-1).

The hearing was set after a brief site-visit report from board members who noted limited on-site parking but said overflow parking is available on nearby Berlin Smith Road and Flaggy Matter Road. Board member Jerry moved to set the public hearing; Roger seconded the motion and the board voted 5-0 to schedule it.

At the meeting staff summarized a written capacity statement from engineering consultant Brady Frick of Albert Frick Associates, saying the existing septic system was designed for roughly 270 gallons per day, with a two-bedroom apartment estimated at about 90 gpd and the proposed retail use with one employee estimated at about 20 gpd. Staff said the consultant indicated occasional 10-person classes (monthly) would add a small daily load and that the system appeared to have capacity for the proposed combined use (statement summarized by staff from the consultant's memo).

Board members and the applicant identified several outstanding items to bring to the public hearing: a formal sign-off or comment from the fire chief, confirmation of trash removal arrangements (the applicant said they and an associate could transport business trash off-site but that on-site dumpster arrangements were not in place), and any details the public hearing participants raise. The board advised the applicant to be prepared to provide documentation on those points at the hearing.

The board's motion to set the public hearing passed 5-0. The board also approved its Nov. 24 minutes earlier in the meeting by a 5-0 vote. The public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at Buxton Town Hall.