Planning Board Asks Local Nursery for More Detailed Renovation Plans

A Westwood resident who runs a seasonal nursery on his property will need to seek counsel from the town's engineer before completing alterations to his business, the Westwood Planning Board decided during a public hearing last night.

Joseph Flanagan, who owns Harlequin Nursery out of his property at 215 High St., had brought forth plans to the Planning Board that detailed what renovations he wishes to complete to the parking lot and entrance-way to the business.

But Board members were in agreement that details as to where certain renovations on the property were taking place were unclear, and deemed the plans inadequate.

As a result, the hearing will remain open until August 10, and Jeff Bina, who will begin work as the new Westwood Town Engineer starting August 2, will be asked to review and possibly help produce plans to help clarify uncertainties.

"Our job is to give direction to the town engineer," explained Planning Board Chairman Steven Rafsky. "We have to give clear direction of what we're looking for for approval."

The Board held the hearing in order to consider, and possibly approve, alterations to Harlequin Nursery's existing driveway, as well as the installation of a gravel parking lot, landscape display area and a display sign for the nursery.

"We want to continue to sell retail," Flanagan said during the hearing. "We basically put a display out front, just trees, and made a gravel parking area up top. And we'd like to stay in business."

Because Flanagan's business is of agricultural nature, he is exempt from certain zoning bylaws, provided he is approved for Limited Environmental Impact and Design Review (EIDR), and the renovations are deemed safe and don't pose a threat in terms of drainage. Flanagan is not obligated to apply for a building permit, as no structural renovations are occurring, only site work to the property's landscape.

Flanagan expressed frustration to the Board as to why his plans weren't adequate. He also questioned why they needed more detail, considering several of the Board's members have made site visits to Harlequin to see the property first-hand.

"Why did everyone come out there?" Flanagan asked.

But the Board reinforced its duty to maintaining accuracy, and that abiding by regulations was a priority. They also expressed how they were not opposed to Flanagan's operations in the least, but rather wanted to ensure the renovations would be safe for patrons and not cause inconvenience for neighbors.

"I know this is limited to EIDR and state regulations," said Board member Carol Chafetz. "I know we can't obstruct this moving forward, and I support it. But I think to represent the town's interest, the regulations tell us that we should be looking at a manageable plan."

Luckily for Flanagan, the Board agreed no real safety issues seemed to be evident, and Town Planner Nora Loughnane explained that the Westwood Police and Fire Departments, after having viewed the Harlequin premises, found no issues with safety as long as the widths of the driveway and parking area are maintained. Police have also asked signs be displayed on the property designating where customers can and cannot park once renovations are completed, Loughnane said.

Flanagan said the circular parking area would be suited for at least 12 vehicles, though he believed he could make room to fit 14 if need be.

But Vice Chairman Steven Olanoff expressed concern of a possible overflow if the spaces were not marked correctly with lines or barriers. Flanagan reassured the Board that barriers would be put in place to separate customers' vehicles.

"We do need to see where the spaces would be marked," Loughnane said. "That's the only safety question I would raise right now, where customers could get into the space and out of the space."

Planning Board Secretary John J. Wiggin agreed, and said parking spaces should be identified in revised plans.

"The only safety question I can think of is the access to the drive," Wiggin said.  "The only problem is, we can't see that (on these plans). We have to be able to see what it is. And we can't see it."

Olanoff also expressed concern over drainage issues, as the gravel driveway lies on a slight incline.

"It looks like there would be more water flowing towards the driveway," Olanoff said. "And once it flows toward the driveway, it flows towards the street."

In hopes to at least get his application approved, Flanagan proposed the Board consider his renovations pending a thumbs-up from the Bina.

"I would ask that you OK (the plans) under the premise that the town engineer comes up, and if he comes up and says there's no drainage issue, then let's call it a day," Flanagan said. "What more could you ask for?"

One thing the Board did approve was that Flanagan can apply for a building permit to install a business sign on his property near the High Street entrance.

While residential businesses are normally allowed a one-square-foot sign, Flanagan is looking for one that is closer to three-by-five feet in size, resting on poles that are more than eight feet long. But only about six feet of the poles would be exposed from the ground up once installed.

The Planning Board will review the plans on August 10 to see if they are complete and adequate for clarity and detail.

Until then, Flanagan said he was more than willing to comply with the Board's wishes, provided they help him in completing the goal of finalizing his business.

"I'm willing to jump through any hoops," Flanagan said. "I'm seriously willing to do anything as long as I know what it is."