The meeting’s centerpiece was the approval of a development proposal for a new retail and office space at zero South Hampton Road by Beck Associates for NextGen. The proposal includes constructing two 7,200 square-foot buildings: one designated for retail and office use and the other for contractor purposes. The site, which has been cleared and is located north of Hometown Structures, includes three access points from South Hampton Road and Airport Road. Rob Levit from Beck Associates outlined that the development falls within two zoning classifications—Business A and Industrial A—and aimed to provide primarily fleet storage for NextGen with minimal material storage or contractor yard activities.

The proposal accounted for the possibility of additional retail tenants in the front building, requiring one parking space for every 300 square feet for retail and one for every 250 square feet for office use. Stormwater management plans were designed to accommodate potential future increases in formal parking. Levit emphasized that heavy equipment repairs would not occur on-site, although minor maintenance might take place. The board discussed accessibility features, including a six-foot-wide sidewalk with a four-foot planter in front and a ramp at the back of the building. Suggestions for bike racks were debated, with skepticism about their practicality in the area.

The development’s waste disposal practices were addressed, clarifying that construction materials would be transported to off-site recycling facilities. The board also considered fencing around the property, ultimately leaning towards omitting it due to the absence of neighboring properties and its significant cost. Signage discussions included the potential reuse of an existing sign, requiring a special permit if alterations to size or location were made. The board engaged in a detailed examination of the plans, balancing NextGen’s growth with compliance to municipal regulations.

The board then turned its attention to the Jimbo Aviation proposal at the airport, which involved constructing a 20,000-gallon aboveground storage tank with a tertiary containment dike for fuel transfer operations. The design incorporated compliance with environmental and safety standards, including a rainwater drainage system and an oil-water separator conforming to EPA standards. Access for fuel trucks was planned from Airport Drive, and operations would be limited to trained Jimbo Aviation employees. The board reviewed and approved the site plan amendment after confirming the design’s alignment with existing conditions and standards.

Further discussions included a proposal for a property on Madera Way, which involved expanding service purposes and storage yard improvements, and a new proposal for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on Southampton Road. The ADU project raised concerns about future infill developments and the impact of state laws permitting additional units on smaller lots. The board recognized the need to carefully consider these developments in light of changing regulations.

Zoning updates were also a significant topic, particularly the elimination of special permit requirements for family daycares by state regulation, allowing them to operate by right. The board discussed packaging these zoning amendments into a single proposal for submission to the city council to address inconsistencies and outdated terminology. Landscaping requirements tied to site plans were debated, with a suggestion to create a “tree bank” for developers unable to meet tree planting requirements due to site constraints.