Acushnet Board Denies Special Permit for Bounce House Business

The Acushnet Board of Selectmen has denied a request for a special permit to operate a bounce house rental business from a residential home. This decision came after consideration of several factors, including the impact of the operation on the neighborhood in terms of noise, traffic, and community peace. The applicant, Jacqueline Korea Gonzalez, sought permission to clean and dry her inflatables at the location, not to operate the business itself there. However, the request was met with opposition from residents and concerns from the board regarding compliance with town bylaws.

During the meeting, Gonzalez explained that her business activities at the residential location were limited to preparing the inflatables for rental, which involved cleaning and drying operations. She clarified that she did not intend to conduct the business itself there. Despite this, the building inspector expressed concerns about vehicle traffic and noise associated with the business. Additionally, a police report was mentioned that cited 46 vehicles coming to the site, a figure that Gonzalez disputed. She acknowledged conducting some experimental activities and was not aware of the disruption they may have caused.

Residents voiced their opposition to the operation of the business, emphasizing the negative effects on their peace, privacy, and property value. They pointed out trespassing issues and the burden such a business could potentially place on the town. One resident, acknowledging the applicant’s need to provide for a family, still stressed the importance of adhering to town bylaws and maintaining the residential character of the neighborhood.

Board members engaged in a thorough discussion about the specifics of Gonzalez’s business and its impact on the local community. Questions were raised about the nature of the business’s traffic, whether customers were picking up or having bounce houses delivered, and the potential solutions to mitigate the disruptions. Suggestions included online ordering and delivery services that could reduce the need for customers to visit the residential site.

Despite these considerations and the discussion of possible compromises, the board voted to deny the special permit request. The decision was based on the priority to protect the enjoyment of properties by residents and the overall impact on the neighborhood. Gonzalez was informed about her right to challenge the decision and reminded of the time frame to do so.

The meeting also briefly acknowledged an upcoming event but did not delve into further details. No further questions or comments from the board or the audience were recorded after the decision was made.

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.
Town Administrator:
James Kelley
City Council Officials:
Kevin A. Gaspar, Sr., Robert Hinckley, David Wojnar

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