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Date: 3/1/2023
MONSON – The Monson Planning Board voted to “recommend not in favor” of the zone change for a parcel of land at 7 Margaret St.
The proposal was to change the zoning from Residential Village to Central Commercial.
A public hearing on the matter took place during the Feb. 21 Planning Board meeting.
Chairman Craig Sweitzer explained that the existing parcel is currently vacant.
He told Reminder Publishing that the board is unsure as to what the commercial land would be used for, as a petitioner did not attend the public hearing.
“The Planning Board had a few unanswered questions,” said Sweitzer. “[The] petitioner will usually come and answer [those] questions.”
Because the petitioner asked for the zone change, for the Planning Board to continue the public hearing, Sweitzer said that can only be done by the request of the petitioner. “[We] didn’t believe [we had the] legal authority [to continue the hearing],” he added.
He noted that a plan was given to the board to show the Margaret Street neighborhood and surrounding area. Next to that parcel, there are two parcels – less than two acres of land – that are currently zoned commercial.
Sweitzer went on to explain the history of zoning in Monson which began in the 1960’s. At that time, zones were typically created as a reflection of the existing uses. For example, the two acres of land that were zoned commercial was because they had commercial use. He noted that the zoning criteria was not the same as what it currently is.
During the public hearing on Feb. 21, Sweitzer said one party spoke in favor of the zone change, whereas abutters to the property spoke against it.
The role of the Planning Board, as explained by Sweitzer, is to host a public hearing and decide on whether the petition should be voted favorably at Annual Town Meeting. Residents will then have the deciding vote on the item.
“[The Planning Board does not] have the power to make a change,” Sweitzer said.
Because the board voted to recommend “not in favor” of the zone change, they will make this known at Annual Town Meeting while also sharing that some residents spoke in favor and against it.
“I feel Town Meeting is a fantastic way to run a town,” Sweitzer noted, as everyone can have a say on certain matters, compared to a few elected officials.