Pepperell Planning Board Closes Canal Street Rezoning Hearing, Votes Monday Before Town Meeting

PEPPERELL — April 30, 2018 — Pepperell Planning Board closes Canal Street rezoning hearing and schedules vote before town meeting. The board voted at its April 30 meeting to close the public hearing on a citizen's petition to rezone 15 Canal Street from Town Residential to Commercial and set a special meeting for May 7 at 7 p.m. at the Nissitissit Middle School auditorium, immediately before the annual town meeting, to cast its formal recommendation. Attorney Robert Ansel, representing applicant Tim Elrood, argued the 0.56-acre parcel has been used commercially since the 1950s and is roughly 700 feet from Pepperell's existing commercial district, while attorney Adam Costa, representing abutter Bill Kenison of 12 Canal Street, called the petition "classic spot zoning" of a parcel "surrounded by a sea of other properties which are zoned residential." Town Counsel declined to recommend a direction, noting the board's role is advisory and town meeting holds final authority. The board also continued to May 14 an eight-lot Open Space Residential Development special permit for 110 South Road, directing applicants Beals Associates to meet with town engineer Ken Kalinowski to resolve waiver disputes, and elected a new chairman and clerk after longtime Chairman George Clark announced his resignation to join the Department of Public Works Board.