[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by NYtoVT

Bottom line. Purchaser should have inquired as to what uses would be permitted in that area BEFORE bidding at the tax sale. Caveat emptor.

So true!

Look before you leap....

[sugarmaple]

I am trying to place exactly where you mean in Chester....I know where 11 and 103 meet...just can't place it...I think that if there is reasonable landscaping and/or something like that around the units and are installed with some aesthetics considered, they can be okay. Are you familiar with the ones on Route 106 closer to North Springfield...those are at least neatly installed.

[OhBeeHave]

I apologize sugarmaple, it is before 11/103 if you're heading west into Chester. Heading west to 11/103 pass Curtis' BBQ, GMUHS, Heritage Deli. If you pass Jack's Diner, you've gone too far. The units are up and behind the Heritage, and despite a small spattering of plants, they are very visible. Especially so if you're sitting at the Mountain Man enjoying a soft serve. (BTW -- the folks at Mountain man are very lovely people. If you stop by for ice cream, tell them that the late night movie, green Jeep family sent you!)

The owner of the Heritage were very upset when the property behind them was cleared for the storage units. We have lunch there often and I can't begin to tell you how the owner lamented that the clear cutting of the lot stole the charm of her eatery's exterior appearance. True, they should have bought the land to avoid such things happening. I try to see both sides.

Back to Mountain Man. The town gave them a very difficult time about opening their little shop colony. The husband explained that it is fashioned after crafters colonies in TN and other Appalachian areas. It has a charm of it's own and is very funky, but aesthetically pleasing.

I find it rather hypocritical that the town could rubberstamp the ugly storage center but give Mountain Man a hard time establishing a business. I would have no issues with the storage facility located by the sewer plant, or on Elm St by Bennys or Message for the Week, or even if it were tucked up and back more discretely like the Drew's plant up and behind Curtis'.

I know the units you've mentioned on 106 -- they back housing and are sort of before the turn off for the airport, right? The are highly visible and IMHO should be less visible.

There is a storage building and another storage facility (more in line with those in 106) near my NY home. The uglier one is in an industrial park zoned area, the former is along a main thoroughfair but has a colonial facade that belies what is inside. (It's a two story indoor, climate control facility)

Storage facilities have become a necessary evil as people amass more stuff. (Nod to the late George Carlin) But that doesn't mean they have to be ugly. The owner is going to turn a profit -- at least let the (most likely absentee) owner do something to help beautify the area he is building on and turn it into something aesthetically pleasing for the community as a whole.

Seeing as Vermont relies heavily on tourism, it would be in the zoning board's best interest NOT to allow construction (or at least place covenents on the type of contstruction) which could destroy a villages charm and attraction to tourists. Could anyone imagine a storage facility in Grafton or Weston?

[sugarmaple]

I too can see both sides; and by the way, I love the Heritage and have not been to Mountainman although I drive by it at least 3 times a week; finally got to stop at Curtis' a couple of weeks ago with a client...it was good!
I concur that Weston or Grafton would shake and quiver to think that a storage unit would be sitting next to the Old Tavern - or the Weston Playhouse..

I am referring specifically to Weathersfield, Downers Corner (know where I mean) where it really is commercial, perhaps a couple of houses a few doors down from where this guy has wanted to put units; the area on the property is set back from 106, it is across from the gas station/convenience store, other side of the CC, and across the street from what was a former auto service business...the way the property is right now is the eyesore and in this case I think, done well, would be beneficial, at least attractiveness wise, at least from what is sitting there now.

One of those controversial issues for sure.

I do think, however, that towns don't have the right to allow for one and not for another if they don't like someone as well as the other too....

[OhBeeHave]

I know the spot well -- that would have been ideal for storage units. As you've written, the area is primarily commercial. It's not the gateway to a community, so it isn't setting an example for what the rest of the town looks/should look like. The town's decision was spiteful, arbitrary and capricious. I wonder if a board member has an interest in the storage facility you wrote about earlier, or the one in Ludlow?

I try to be a realist about these matters; it's that I feel that what we build leaves a legacy for all of us. Proper placement, respect for the land and one's neighbors (as well as pride in community,) should figure prominently in planning. Zoning boards should take these concerns and establish zoning districts and laws which clearly define what it or isn't permissible in an area, making zoning law easier to comply with and making arbitrary enforcement a thing of the past.

I purchased in an area where everyone (except me and my neighbors to either side) has large properties. Lately the town has been alllowing subdividing of properties and several homes have gone up as well as some lots cleared in anticipation of new homes. The increased traffic this year created an absolutely horrific mud season. The road became almost impassable, the graders and some other equipment were out there every day trying to scrape away mud. There's no alternate way out, as the road runs alongside a steep drop off for a fair portion.

Obviously I am in no position to complain as I live on land which was subdivided 30 years or so ago. But I can note that the increased pressure on the 'infrastructure' (If we can call a dirt road that LOL) is generating a greater burden on the town's budget, which will come back to bite us all at tax time.