Westport dance studio wins preliminary approval

But planners say vote hinges on keeping traffic off Pleasant Street

By Bruce Burdett
Posted 8/22/19

But planners say vote hinges on keeping traffic off Pleasant Street

By Bruce Burdett

A diminished Planning Board (three members present) voted unanimously last week to approve a proposed dance …

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Westport dance studio wins preliminary approval

But planners say vote hinges on keeping traffic off Pleasant Street

Posted

But planners say vote hinges on keeping traffic off Pleasant Street

By Bruce Burdett

A diminished Planning Board (three members present) voted unanimously last week to approve a proposed dance studio at 699 State Road, with one critical stipulation.

Board members still insist that access to the studio be via an existing driveway onto State Road (Route 6) rather than through Pleasant Street, whose residents again made it clear that they don’t want dance studio traffic on that narrow street.

Board member James Watterson voiced frustration that the studio’s engineer had not yet approached the state Department of Transportation with a proposal to use that driveway as he had been directed to do by the board several weeks ago.

“We asked that you guys initiate this with the state” and we said we would do what we can with our state representatives, he said. “We’re willing to work ourselves but you guys have got to get with it … This is taking too long. We asked that you meet with them and you didn’t do it.”

An engineer for applicants Lisa and Paul Chace (who want to move their studio from Fall River to land they already own in Westport) replied that the state typically requires an approval from the town before it will even entertain review of a proposal.

At issue is the fact that the existing driveway is about eight feet shy of the required 84 feet of width at its junction with State Road (24 feet of road width and 60 feet for turning radius on both sides.

If it would keep studio traffic off Narrow Pleasant Street, neighbor Greg Shaw had offered the use of some of his land to provide the necessary turning radius space. That street is unsuited to business traffic, he said at the previous meeting.

“No one’s opposed to the dance studio,” board Vice Chairman Robert Daylor said. “No one is opposed to the use — it is allowed in a business district. Our job is to have a development that is both allowed and protects the neighborhood.”

Board member John Bullard offered a motion that the Planning Board approve the site plan application by the Chace family for 699 State Road subject to the state DOT approval of the driveway access and restriction of the Pleasant Street access to emergency use only.

But a neighbor voiced concern about that motion.

“It is just odd that you are going to approve a plan” before the driveway option has even been presented to the state by the applicant. “There were supposed to be some changes. None of that is in there … We really want to see a plan — once this gets approved,” the owner will be free to proceed as he chooses.

Another woman asked that shrubbery be planted to screen the studio from her property.

“This project is going to be half a million dollars,” Mr. Chace replied. If I have any money left or energy left, I will be glad to put a screen between your property and my property. It may not happen immediately but I will do it myself if I have to.”

Town Planner James Hartnett cautioned the board that if the state refuses to approve a driveway access plan, there may be little the board can do to keep access off Pleasant Street.

“The (dance studio) use is permitted, he can do it as a matter of right. If he meets the conditions of our site plan review, which he may be able to do by going to Pleasant Street, it may be difficult for this board to deny it in the future if he doesn’t get access to Route 6 … It’s in a business district, the board’s authority is limited.”

Board members eventually voted 3-0 to approve Mr. Bullard’s motion.

At the previous meeting, Mr. Chace said, “The last thing I want to do is put out the neighborhood — I don’t want to destroy any neighborhoods … The main impetus for us to move from Fall river is to avoid the crime that has infested Fall River. We need to get my wife (a Westport native) and her students out of Fall River.”

Prestige Auto approved

Presitge Auto’s bid to consolidate some of its State Road operations around its existing 1175 State Road headquarters at the corner of Forge Road won unanimous Planning Board approval.

The project includes conversion of an existing Forge Road residence to office space, and construction of a 4,000 square foot addition where auto body work and auto repairs would be done.

Also to be built is a parking lot with space for 111 vehicles. Back in June the board agreed that the lot could be built of crushed stone rather than pavement to help reduce runoff.

Acting on recommendations from the board and a consultant, the company agreed to install catch basins to capture any oil and fuel runoff from parked vehicles.

Also, a loudspeaker system used on the lot for employee communication will be reduced by eliminating all speakers aimed to the rear of the property (and toward residences to the rear). Several neighbors had complained about the noise from the speakers.

Diminished board

The board was reduced due to the absence of Chairman James Whitin and the recent resignation of board member David Cole.

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