Planners OK McCormick plan at former diesel truck facility for offices, farmers & flea markets

by Mary Grow

China Planning board members approved the only application on their July 24 agenda, giving Judith McCormack permission to re-use the former diesel truck facility at 1144 Route 3 as a residence, office space, a farmers’ market and a flea market.

McCormack said she plans to live on the second floor, which has a finished apartment. The lower floor will become office space and flea market booths; outdoor flea markets, weekends only, will occupy part of the grounds.

McCormack said she expects the marketers to sell crafts, antiques, seasonal local produce and similar portable, non-polluting items. She plans eight events this year, in September and October and again before Christmas.

She said there are about 50 parking spaces on the grounds; she sees no need for parking along Route 3.

She will provide a dumpster and, for 2018, plans to rent portable toilets for weekend events, since there is no handicapped-accessible toilet on the ground floor. Codes Office and Plumbing Inspector Paul Mitnik said portable toilets are legal for temporary use, as she plans.

Board members attached one condition to the permit: if the business succeeds and continues into 2019, McCormack must install an appropriate toilet facility by the end of 2019.