The primary discussion centered around a petition for a new shed on Cond Drive. The proposed shed’s height was reduced from 9 feet to 6 feet to mitigate concerns over its size and potential impact. A neighboring property owner expressed strong objections, fearing that the shed could facilitate an expansion of the petitioner’s business activities in the residential neighborhood. The neighbor, representing long-term residents of the area, articulated concerns about maintaining the neighborhood’s residential character and the potential increase in trucks and business-related vehicles.

The board addressed these concerns by referencing existing zoning bylaws that regulate home occupations, including limitations on vehicle numbers and operational impacts. They considered reiterating these bylaws as conditions in the special permit to ensure clarity and address the community’s concerns. Ultimately, the board approved the shed construction with these conditions, emphasizing compliance with local bylaws to prevent future business expansion in the residential area.

Following this, the board reviewed a request from Buds Goods and Services MA Corp to amend their special permit for 24-hour operations and increasing employee capacity from 25 to 35, with a maximum of 15 employees per shift. The representatives justified this change by citing the company’s growth and operational demands, emphasizing the need for flexibility in staffing. The discussion revealed concerns about parking capacity, as the facility has only 23 parking spaces. Fire Chief O’Brien emphasized the importance of keeping access lanes clear, aligning with pre-existing conditions.

The Board of Health had reviewed and confirmed that the current septic system could accommodate up to 30 employees per day, requiring an upgrade if the facility expanded to 35 employees. The Planning Board highlighted parking concerns, noting that ADA parking spaces were compliant. Representatives acknowledged parking challenges, particularly during hiring events, and suggested exploring reconfiguration of the layout to create more space. The board concluded by approving an increase to 15 employees per shift, provided the police chief reviewed and approved an updated security plan for the 24-hour operations.

The meeting also addressed a special permit request for a shed on Fish Shaes Road. The applicant proposed replacing an existing shed with a new structure, improving its placement by setting it back 6 feet from the property line. The board found no objections from neighboring properties and unanimously granted the special permit, noting the positive change in the shed’s placement.

Additional discussions included a continued public hearing for the Residences at Learon Hills LLC, postponed to the December meeting to allow time for final engineering and subdivision plans. The Cranbury Heights project on Main Street was also reviewed, with representatives committing to revising plans based on a peer review report. The board emphasized the importance of addressing stormwater management concerns and maintaining clear communication throughout the process.