China planners hear two applications for self-storage units

by Mary Grow

China planning board members began their June 27 meeting with sequential public hearings on two applications for self-storage facilities on Route 3, from Chris Harris and Lucas Adams (see the June 22 issue of The Town Line, p. 3).

China codes officer Nicholas French had allowed half an hour per application. He was spot on: the hearings themselves took one and three minutes, respectively, and board members’ review of the criteria for approval brought the total time for each application to 25 minutes.

Both applications were approved unanimously with one condition: each applicant needs to submit to the town office a letter from the South China fire chief saying emergency access to the site is adequate.

Harris’ units will be in what is currently an open field at 623 Route 3. Abutter Joann Austin asked about potential run-off onto her property; Harris anticipated no problem, but said if there were one, he would dig ditches to divert the water.

Adams’ abutter, Jordan Giroux, who lives on Horseback Road, had questions about buffers and visibility. Adams said he had cleared what he needed, leaving as much wooded buffer as he could on Giroux’s side of his lot; he and Giroux consulted amicably over maps in the application.

Harris and Adams both plan to have the facilities available all the time. Both are installing downward-pointing lighting to keep access safe without illuminating neighboring properties. Both said the contract each user signs will prohibit storing hazardous substances.

Planning board co-chairman James Wilkens reminded them of the 30-day window during which the approval can be appealed.

In other business, board members postponed continued discussion of the proposed solar ordinance until they have more time to review the current draft.

Co-chairman Toni Wall reported briefly on the discussion of planning board districts with select board members at that board’s June 20 meeting (see the June 29 issue of The Town Line, p.3). She and Wilkens agreed the discussion was “really good.” Wilkens is pleased that the two boards are working together, after disagreements earlier this year over the board of appeals ordinance.

Because of the July 4 holiday, the China planning board’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, July 11. Board members agreed to meet only once in July and August, unless there are enough applications to require a second meeting. They scheduled the August meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 8.

French said he expects the July 11 agenda to include an application for an auto detailing shop in an existing building on China Road.