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Planning commission moves three RPDI uses forward as conditional, after residents voice traffic and noise concerns
Summary
The Essex Planning Commission voted to advance three uses for the RPDI district for conditional-use drafting and DRB review, directing staff to add noise, screening and site-specific criteria after residents raised traffic and livability concerns. The motion passed by voice vote.
The Essex Planning Commission voted July 9 to prepare and advance three proposed uses in the RPDI zoning district as conditional uses, directing staff to draft additional criteria for consideration at a public hearing.
The motion, made by a committee member and seconded by town planner Kat Johnson (the staff representative), asked staff to "review those 3 uses for any additional conditions / slash criteria that would be appropriate and then move them forward to be conditional uses in the RPDI." The commission passed the motion by voice (recorded in the meeting as passing; commissioners said "Aye").
Why it matters: Commissioners said moving a limited set of uses forward now would allow focused drafting of conditions—such as noise mitigation for kennels, screening for parking and limits on visible outdoor storage at repair shops—rather than trying to resolve all contested uses at once. Kat Johnson told the commission that conditional uses would come before the Development Review Board, where site-specific conditions could be applied.
Public commenters emphasized neighborhood impacts. Lynn Johnson of Circle Drive told the commission the "traffic is the main issue. Traffic and noise" and urged care because "there are a number of residential neighborhoods all around this property." Commissioners repeatedly referenced road connectivity as a practical constraint, noting that some members prefer pausing additional approvals until key road links are completed.
On specifics discussed: commissioners identified the kennel, hotel/motel and select industrial uses as the three items to refine immediately. Members said the DRB could set conditions such as requiring screening, noise limits or road-completion triggers; staff recommended drafting minimum standards for the commission to review. One commissioner underscored the difference between permitted and conditional uses, saying conditional status "would still have to go to the DRB" where additional requirements can be added.
Next steps: Staff will draft language to add targeted criteria for the three uses and return the proposal for further review and a public hearing. The motion to advance the three uses carried in the meeting record as a passed voice vote.
