The board reversed the building inspector and required Old Oaks Country Club to obtain a special exception use permit for its 2021–22 driving range expansion, citing the disturbance of 1.2 acres and near-tripling of the hitting area as a material change in use. Seven other applications sailed through with minimal opposition: bathroom additions, deck replacements, fence height increases, and a two-family duplex with dual curb cuts all won approval or unanimous support.
Meeting outcomes
- 3098-3100 Purchase Street (Old Oaks Country Club) driving range expansion sent to planning board for special exception use permit; board found the 1.2-acre disturbance and tripled hitting area constitute a change in use despite building inspector's approval, with concerns over lack of screening and parking setback violations.
- 18 & 22 Cottage Avenue bathroom addition approved unanimously; 9-by-5-foot addition for internal residential elevator on second floor, justified by lot's unusual shape, no public opposition.
- 21 Genesee Trail side setback variance approved; 18.2-foot variance for corner lot configuration, board found minimal impact, no opposition.
- 384 Woodlands Road front fence height increase approved unanimously; landscape plans reviewed, no neighbor objections.
- 5 Tam O'Shanter Drive rear deck replacement approved unanimously; wood deck variance granted with no impact due to wooded, town-owned property at rear.
- 11 Valley Ridge Road basketball half-court approved unanimously with condition that hoop be relocated away from north side; neighbor opposed original north-facing placement, board accommodated relocation to south, east, or west.
- 21 Braxmar Drive South adjourned; applicant requesting five variances for 583-square-foot expansion on 0.23-acre lot in 1-acre zone, board members stated insufficient information to vote and indicated likely denial if voted immediately, applicant and neighbors to meet before next hearing.
- 93-95 Crotona Avenue two-family duplex approved 4-1 for two 10-foot curb cuts; condition: DPW sign-off required, board member sought public works input on on-street parking impact.
- 606 Purchase Street fence variance adjourned; applicants absent, no discussion of merits.