Debate on the billboard centered on its potential impact on the community and traffic safety. Questions arose about visibility, the sign’s distance from the right of way, and whether it might affect future road widening plans. The board and public also scrutinized the sign’s size and height, with the proposed height noted as 49 feet. The applicant’s representative, Mr. Gerber, argued that the sign, standing at a reduced height from previous proposals, would blend well with the surroundings and offer benefits to the community, such as public service announcements and emergency messaging. The emergency messaging program was detailed, explaining how it would override commercial advertising during critical situations, with examples including Amber Alerts and weather warnings.

Members of the public, including Mr. Houston and Mr. Solo, expressed concerns about the billboard’s necessity and its value to the residents, with skepticism towards both its inherent and financial benefits. There were also calls for more local data, particularly from the Police Department, to better understand its potential traffic impact. The board’s deliberation revealed that a supermajority of five affirmative votes was necessary for approval due to two D variances involved, relating to the use not being permitted in the zone and the sign’s height and setbacks.

The applicant put forth a case for the billboard’s community merits, while some board members showed support for the amended application, which included a motion to approve the application with conditions such as the municipality being offered 8 seconds every other minute on each side of the sign for public service and emergency messaging. Conditions also detailed restrictions on content types. Despite the deliberations and proposed amendments to the application, the board did not come to a definitive conclusion by the meeting’s end.

Another application discussed during the meeting was related to a property on Kowski Way. The property owner, Mr. Charles La Castro, sought a variance for a home design that required a larger footprint and a three-car garage. The design, according to Mr. La Castro, was driven by the need for one-floor living and future mobility concerns, which included storage for an antique car and provisions for wheelchair accessibility without future home retrofits. The variance being sought exceeded the maximum building coverage by approximately 159 square feet. However, an amendment to the application proposed removing 261 square feet from the garage, which would bring the total building coverage to 2,838 square feet.

The board’s professionals and the public engaged in discussions about the number of bedrooms on the first floor, the necessity of the three-car garage, and the soil disturbance due to construction. The applicant’s planner, Mr. Miola, presented a planning exhibit and argued the benefits of allowing the larger home, emphasizing that the proposed home design would blend aesthetically with the neighborhood and meet the specific needs of the homeowner. The board ultimately passed a motion to approve the application with conditions, despite concerns about the precise number of bedrooms and the garage’s contribution to the public benefit.

In other business, the board handled routine matters, including the election of Mr. David C. Schulz as chairman and Mr. Douglas McCabe as vice chair, approval of board attorney Michael Sullivan, Esq., and secretary Karen M. Coffey for 2024, and acknowledgment of board members’ years of service. The meeting also addressed an application for a Harley-Davidson building sign, which failed to receive the necessary votes for approval, leading to the need for a resolution to memorialize the board’s action.