During the March 17 meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals, the hearings were easily handled with nothing complicated or contested – that is, until the final hearing of the night.
David and Deborah Epstein, practicing massage therapists who were seeking a special permit to allow an accessory use within a residence, came before the board.
The Epsteins plan to open a therapeutic massage practice at 26 Fairhaven Road. The 23,522 square-foot parcel four-bedroom home with six parking spaces, Epstein felt, was the perfect location to house both family and business.
Representative for the Epsteins, Richard Charon, detailed for the board members plans to renovate a first floor bedroom for treatment rooms and update a bathroom. He also cited local zoning bylaws that allow homeowners, as a matter of right, to conduct certain businesses within their residence.
Such businesses as dressmaking, babysitting, hairdressing, and professions of medicine are all viewed as acceptable types of businesses conducted from owner-occupied residences.
However, there were concerns aired by two abutters, concerns primarily around increased traffic flow along Route 6.
Cheryl Belknap, 34 Fairhaven Road, was the first to speak up, saying her concerns were the high rate of speed employed by drivers utilizing the highway.
“There are no traffic lights from Fairhaven to Mattapoisett,” said Belknap, which she said was the reason motorists ignored posted speed limits. She suggested the applicant work out a plan with the dental office abutting the property so the Epsteins’ clients could use an already-established curb cut.
Gail Kaloplastos, 32 Fairhaven Road, echoed concerns about rates of speed along the state roadway, and fear that increased traffic would be dangerous to children using bus stops nearby. Kaloplastos questioned the hours of operations for the business and quizzed Charon on the business model submitted by the applicant.
Dr. Janine Crifasi, who is not a Mattapoisett resident, said she had looked into buying property along the Route 6 corridor and then proceeded to pose a number of questions to the applicant, the board, and Charon.
Her questions centered on the proposed business and whether or not it could be permitted based on the business model presented.
After nearly 20 minutes of questioning from Belknap, Kaloplastos, and Crifasi, ZBA board member Kenneth Pacheco said with an edge of frustration, “What’s the big deal?”
Pacheco said there are businesses on Route 6 and countered that, although there had been accidents along the roadway, it wasn’t “overbearing.”
Board member Anthony Tranfaglia said, “Other business areas are worse.”
Chairman Susan Akin said, “They are within their right.”
After establishing what the hours of operation would be, the number of parking spaces, and the appropriate type of signage and associated lighting, the board members unanimously approved the requested special permit.
An earlier hearing for Phil Goyette’s application for a special permit to demolish an existing structure and build a new single family home at 11 Mattapoisett Neck Road was approved.
Norma Klein, 4 Indian Avenue, received a special permit to construct a two-story garage, as did Richard Patten, 21 Marion Road, for the construction of a single-family home and over-sized garage.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals will be held on April 21 at 6:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell
