TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
Planning Board
July 24, 2019
BETHLEHEM TOWN HALL MEETING ROOM
Minutes
6:00 pm
Present: Chairman Johnathan Stevenson, Vice Chair Mike Bruno, Marie Stevenson, Kim Koprowski, Chris Jensen, Alternates: Anthony Rodrigues and Peter Roy
Excused absence: Kevin Roy and Chris McGrath
Student liaison: Nick Meachen
Chairman Stevenson opened the public hearing at 6:00 pm. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. He explained that Anthony Rodrigues and Peter Roy are alternates and they will be filling in for the two board members not present.
Mr. Stevenson read the Agenda.
Minutes from June 26, 2019
Mike Bruno made a motion to approve the June 26, 2019 minutes and Chris Jensen seconded. The motion passed unanimously with Peter and Anthony abstaining. 5-2
Don Lavoie home business conceptual
Don Lavoie just received his massage license. He would like to have the site-plan requirement waived regarding his home massage business. It will be located at 733 Swazey Lane.
Mr. Lavoie said he would have only one customer at a time and there is plenty of parking. He said the building would not be modified. He said that makes a waiver possible under 3.1 of the Site Plan Review Regulations.
Rita Farrell asked if that use was allowed in that district. Mr. Lavoie said the home is in District II and District II allows “personal service shops” such as a beauty salon and he feels his business fits that category.
Mike Bruno explained that the board has waived other business in town when there was no change to the structure and no meaningful impacts in other areas, such as parking.
Mr. Bruno then made a motion to approve waiving Site Plan Review for Don Lavoie home business. Marie Stevenson seconded and it passed on a 7-0 vote.
Rek-Lis Building
The next item was the request by Marlaina Renton and Ian Dowling, owners of Rek-Lis Brewing Company, to add a new building.
Thomas Smith, the architect for Rek`lis, presented a much more detailed plan, with the required items that were missing previously, preventing the board from acting. Dave Wiley said he was there to answer questions.
The board looked over the new set of plans for the business and it was determined that the checklist was complete. Mike Bruno said he was glad to see that the existing impervious surface was listed, along with elevations.
Mike Bruno made a motion to accept the checklist meeting the requirements. Chris Jensen seconded it and it passed 7-0.
The building will be two stories and about twenty-four feet by sixty feet. It will be located behind the current building towards Balance Bethlehem.
Marlaina Renton said it would add about 70 more seats and those would mostly be used during the winter, when outside seating and the porch is not possible. It might also be used for special events.
There would be more storage and restrooms. It would also be used to brew beer, something now done in the basement of the current building.
Marie Stevenson said she still worries about the parking issue in town and everyone needs to work together to help solve it and that is why she is on the Select Board’s Parking Committee.
Ian Dowling, co-owner of Rek-Lis, said parking is a town responsibility and the brewery provides a big economic boost to the town.
Ms. Renton agreed that parking is a concern for everyone. But she said it can be handled. She said there were 2,800 people visiting for the party on the Fourth of July and thanks to signs put up by Rek-Lis sending people to lots like those near the skating rink there were no parking issues. She said people just needs signs telling them where to go.
Mr. Bruno said the board recently told the state highway department that under current regulations parking is not a requirement for a business like Rek-Lis in District One on Main Street.
Ms. Renton said they are shooting for a November opening for the edition.
There was no public comment.
Mike Bruno made a motion to approved Rek`lis Site Plan for addition Kim Koprowski seconded and it passed 7-0.
The public hearing was closed.
Rules of Procedure
The board also went over some possible changes to its Rules of Procedure.
Mr. Bruno put together a list of things some board members told him might be good and would help the board operate.
Most came from rules used by two other towns, Northfield and Pittsfield. They are about the size of Bethlehem.
The board discussed them and Mr. Bruno said he would send Debbie Bayley a revised list that she would send to the board for the August 14 meeting.
If the board likes them, there would be a public meeting allowing comments before they would be adopted.
The next Planning Board meeting is August 14, 2019. Mike Bruno will be on vacation.
Gravel Pit inspections will be set in August.
Marie Stevenson made the motion to adjourn and Kim Koprowski seconded it. The vote was 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15.
Respectfully submitted
Debbie Bayley
Planning/Zoning Clerk
