Green Apple Holdings LLC had been seeking approval for its use variance for a retail space, marking the first step in what it described as a long, complex process. It emphasized the economic benefits of the project, backed by an economic report submitted to the Board. The company’s engineer, Evan Hill, detailed plans for the property, including compliance with zoning ordinances, buffers, landscaping efforts, and parking spaces. He also highlighted the benefits of providing public sewer services to the area.

The application drew attention from several board members, including Joseph Riccardi and Greg Stafford-Smith, who sought clarification on the projected impacts on neighboring properties and potential economic development. Green Apple Holdings LLC addressed these concerns, citing the master plan’s objectives and population projections to demonstrate a potential increase in non-residential development opportunities.

The meeting included testimony from various experts in fields such as traffic and economic analysis, focusing on compliance with regulations and the potential positive impact on the community. The potential introduction of public sewer services to the area was a recurring topic, as were the project’s effects on neighboring properties.

The Zoning Board also entertained public comments on the application, with many members of the public expressing concerns about the project’s potential impact on the surrounding residential area. These concerns centered around the need for proper screening and buffering on the property. However, the planning expert reassured residents that there would be no negative impact on property values and could potentially have a positive effect.

In other business, the Board discussed several other applications, including a proposal for a pool and Cabana on a corner lot and replacing a damaged wood shed with a new one requiring a variance for an eight-foot setback. The Board also considered an applicant’s request for a 15-foot foundation for a shed, which was subsequently approved after a roll call vote.