2009 Zoning Minutes
2009 Zoning Minutes
East Falls Community Council
Zoning and Land Use Committee
Minutes of December 2, 2009 Meeting
Committee Members.
Present: Jennifer Arnoldi, Bill Epstein, Meg Greenfield, Sharon Jaffe, Marie Killian, Roger Marsh, Tom
Sauerman, Edward Swenson, Drew Tepper, George Grigonis,
Absent: Ed Delisle.
Notice Given: Notices were posted in the vicinity of 3580 Indian Queen Lane and distributed to nearby
households. Notice was given at Sherman Mills. Notice was published in the Fallser. Notices called
attention to venue—Sherman Hall.
AGENDA
1. Cross Fit Gym - Sherman Mills, Scotts Lane – Fitness Classes - Use not permitted under current
zoning. Parking on site.
Presenting: Micah MacBeth, co-owner and tenant. Classes will be limited to 12 individuals, plus staff,
at any one time, in a 3800 sq. ft. space in Building #21. There are more than 270 parking spaces in
Sherman Mills.
Discussion: Concerns were expressed regarding parking on Scotts Lane. The proposed facility is within
the complex and there is ample off-street parking.
Motion: To support the application of the Cross-Fitness Gym in Building 21, as described in the
application and refusal. The class size is to be limited t0 12 at any one time, plus instructors. Approved.
2. 3580 Indian Queen Lane. 3580 Indian Queen Lane at the corner of Krail St.(a narrow street with
heavy parking along one side). Landlord seeks variance for lease of ground floor to Kencrest to allow use
by 3-4 full time employees and by handicapped clients who will be brought in by van and then sent out by
van to work. Variance required. Applicant also seeks a loading zone on Indian Queen Lane and variance
for first floor to be used as office space by owners.
Presenting: Owners, Val Nehez and Anthony Taylor, and Rita Mandik from Kencrest. Kencrest would
use the space primarily as a staging/dispatch center. Clients are adults transitioning to employment.
Presently they perform volunteer and paid work at various locations, or participating in training. They
would be discharged in front of the property by vans from their group homes and/or CCT, then dispatched
to job sites or educational activities, in the company of Kencrest staff, in vans. Kencrest vans would be
parked off-street as would one employee vehicle. An application has been made for a loading zone, 8:30
am to 3:30 pm, in front of the building on Indian Queen Lane. Three to four staff on the premises which
could increase as clients increase.
Discussion: There are substantial concerns regarding traffic on which there is one traffic lane due to
parking on both sides. The proposed loading zone is on the driver's (left) side of street, so many clients
would alight into traffic. There is a substantial likelihood of drop-off vans waiting in the traffic lane if the
proposed loading zone is occupied by another van.
Motion: To oppose the application for a dispatch center as proposed by Kencrest, because of serious
concerns about traffic safety and congestion. There was no objection to the proposed office. Approved.
3. Current use of church space on Sundays and at other times. The use has generated significant
neighbor complaints about noise and traffic. Neighbors and applicants will have an opportunity to
discuss this issue and its possible resolution at the meeting.
Discussion: No committee action was taken. The parties were encouraged to be mutually respectful.
The church was encouraged to and agreed to limit service hours (Pastor stated 11-1:30); to reduce sound
emanating from church, and, to make sure its parishioners do not block traffic while arriving and
departing. Landlord and church recognized incompatibility of such loud church services and traffic and
parking congestion in this location. Church pastor stated church would leave within six months.
Landlord stated that use not a good fit.
Respectfully submitted,
Roger Marsh
East Falls Community Council
Zoning and Land Use Committee
Minutes of August 5, 2009 Meeting
Committee Members Present:
Adam Carangi, Gregory Grigonis, Meg Greenfield, Sharon Jaffe, Marie Killian, Roger
Marsh, Drew Tepper
Committee Member Excused: Tom Sauerman
Notice given: Because there were no items requiring a hearing, public notice was not
given. All committee members were notified by email.
1. Introductions
All present provided a brief summary of their backgrounds and reasons for wanting to
serve on the East Falls Zoning Committee.
2. Guiding Documents
Chair Meg Greenfield provided the Zoning and Land Use Committee purpose. All
present had reviewed and had no questions.
3. Policies Adopted by ECCC
Reminder was given to the Committee of the EFCC adopted policy opposing conversions
of single family homes to multi-use and the adopted policy requiring use of exhaust
scrubbing systems by restaurants.
4. Review of Operating Procedures; Information Required of Applicants Form;
Conflict of Interest Policy Statement
All present had reviewed policies and procedures and acknowledged that all understood
the requirements.
5. Committee Tasks
Meeting minutes: Marie Killian agreed to be responsible for drafting the minutes of
Zoning Committee minutes, with assistance from Roger Marsh..
Greenfield reviewed the following procedures: Notices to Community; Follow Up with
Applicants; and Handling Complaints from Community Residents.
Chair Greenfield asked the committee to think of appropriate topics for the monthly
column in the Fallser and to provide suggestions.
6. Falls Center Air Handlers Problems
Adam Carangi described the noise problem created by the air handler equipment at Falls
Center. This will be further discussed at the EFCC meeting on August 10, 2009.
Respectfully Submitted,
Roger Marsh