Chaplin P&Z adopts tighter dog-boarding setbacks, approves accessory-apartment revisions

The Town of Chaplin Planning & Zoning Commission voted Jan. 11 to adopt several targeted revisions to the town’s zoning regulations, tightening rules for dog-boarding facilities and approving updated accessory-apartment language following legal review.

The commission approved an amendment to Section 5.2.B.12 that raises the minimum setback for dog-boarding and training facilities from the currently stated 100 feet to 500 feet from other dwellings and property lines in many circumstances, and it shortened allowed outdoor activity hours from 10 p.m. to 9 p.m. The motion to increase the setback passed with three votes in favor, two opposed and one abstention. Helen Weingart, who expressed noise concerns during discussion, said "sound carries." Zoning Enforcement Officer Jay Gigliotti estimated the existing Pumpkin Hill kennel sits on roughly 12–14 acres and may house about 12 dogs, though he said he would need to check files for exact figures.

In a separate action, the commission adopted revisions to Section 5.2.A.10 governing accessory apartments after incorporating suggested wording from Town Attorney O’Brien; Chairman Doug Dubitsky said the attorney’s review found the revisions conform to state statute. The commission approved the accessory-apartment language following a brief discussion about limiting discretionary language in subsections that members had questioned.

The commission also approved edits to Section 8.11 (logging operations), including a minor wording change to read "assessment of any such damage," and voted to include Attorney O’Brien’s suggested language in the dog-boarding section as well. For the six sections discussed during old business (sections 1.4, 5.5, 5.11, 5.2.A.10, 5.2.B.12 and 8.11) the commission set an Adopted Date of March 1, 2018; appeals will be permitted within 15 days after legal notice is placed, the ZEO said.

Votes at a glance

- Increase kennel setback to 500 ft (Section 5.2.B.12 amendment): motion carried; yes 3, no 2, abstain 1 (mover: R. Godaire; second: H. Weingart). - Adopt Section 5.2.B.12 as amended (including hours change and attorney wording): motion carried (mover: R. Godaire; second: P. Fiasconaro). - Adopt accessory-apartment revisions (Section 5.2.A.10) with attorney O’Brien’s suggested revisions: motion carried (mover: D. Garceau; second: K. Fortier). - Adopt Section 8.11 (logging operations) and minor wording change: motion carried (mover: P. Fiasconaro; second: H. Weingart). - Set Adopted Date for six sections as March 1, 2018: motion carried (mover: D. Garceau; second: P. Fiasconaro).

What happens next

The newly adopted language will take effect on March 1, 2018 unless successfully appealed within the 15-day window after legal notice is published. The commission also scheduled additional public hearings on a separate package of zoning revisions (RC17-087) for Feb. 8, 2018 to solicit further input on building-lot, pavement, underground storage tank, dimensional-chart and site-lighting provisions.

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.