Yarmouth Zoning Board Approves Hazardous Material Storage Expansion

In a recent session, Yarmouth Zoning Board approved an amendment to a previous decision, allowing Milway Marina to expand its hazardous material storage from 200 to 900 gallons. This expansion aligns with the Marina’s operational shift from two-stroke to four-stroke engines, necessitating an increased oil storage capacity. The Board of Health had previously given unanimous consent to this increase, citing it as crucial for the marina’s operations and recommending the zoning board’s approval.

The discussion around this petition was robust, with the Board of Health’s memorandum from February 27th, 2024, being incorporated into the zoning board’s decision. The marina, which operates at 9 and Enterprise Road, recently acquired the adjacent property on Enterprise Road with intentions to merge the lots into a single parcel, subject to approvals. Attorney Paul Tardiff outlined the marina’s history and prior approvals to the board, emphasizing the ongoing uses at the combined properties.

Board members sought assurances regarding the safety and environmental impact of the proposed hazardous material storage. The petitioner detailed the handling and storage procedures, including the use of containment bins and berms, and highlighted the ongoing oversight by the Board of Health and Hazardous Waste inspector over the past decade. Despite concerns raised about the increased storage volume’s potential risk to drinking water, the board was satisfied with the safety measures in place.

In addition to the storage expansion, the meeting covered the review of a special permit for unlimited public play at the Kings Way golf course. The one-year review yielded discussions about water runoff, pesticide usage, and property boundaries, as residents expressed concerns about the golf course’s impact on the neighborhood. Issues such as littering, foul language, and inappropriate behavior on private properties were raised, with some residents reporting their complaints had been disregarded by King’s Way management. The board acknowledged these concerns yet emphasized the meeting’s focus on the special permit, not private property disputes. Subsequently, the board closed the public hearing and deliberated on the matter, choosing to continue annual reviews for the next three years to monitor any potential issues.

Another notable petition involved Sandala Customs seeking a special permit and a variance for front setback relief to construct an addition on a pre-existing non-conforming structure. The petitioner argued for setback relief, citing the challenges of owning a corner lot and the need for additional space in a small house. The board debated the impact of the proposed expansion on the neighborhood and the existing septic system. They discussed potential alternatives and expressed varying degrees of comfort with the proposed setbacks. A homeowner’s petition for approval of a home addition was also deliberated, wherein the board considered the removal of a non-conforming deck as a condition for approval. After discussions around the lot’s shape, topography, and neighborhood impact, the board made a motion to approve the setback with the condition that the deck be removed.

Further, the board handled a petition to temporarily move a historic section of a property, demolish a non-historic section, and build a new structure. The board members requested more plans and dimensions before making a decision, underlining the need for precise information on the proposed structure’s impact.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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