ZBA continues 299 Main Street shed variance; applicant to seek Conservation review and provide mitigation plan

The Danville Zoning Board of Adjustment reopened a continued hearing May 19 on a Variance application for a skid-mounted shed proposed within five feet of wetlands at 299 Main Street. Applicant Matthew Maguire told the Board the property's current leach field constrains where the shed can be sited and said he had lived on the property for just under a year.

Mr. Maguire described several possible approaches: placing the shed behind a rock near the back of the house (about 15 feet before a drop-off but adjacent to the leach field), siting it 25 feet from the wetlands at the base of the hill, using an under-deck/gutter system to capture potential spills and sealing collected fluid in a chamber to be taken to a hazardous-waste facility, or mounting the shed on cinder blocks so it is non-permanent. He also agreed to consider a smaller shed size.

Chairman Chris Stafford and other Board members said they needed a detailed design and mitigation plan showing how the wetlands would be protected; the Board also requested Conservation's opinion and possible engineering feedback. Brenda Legare expressed concern about flood history at the site and said she was not comfortable approving a variance without a design plan.

Following that direction, the Board voted to continue the case to Tuesday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. David Knight moved, Walter Baird seconded; the motion carried 5-0. The applicant will contact Conservation to be placed on their June 4 agenda and return to ZBA with materials addressing distance from wetlands, size and mitigation measures.