KENT—The Planning and Zoning Commission last week gave reluctant approval to the site plan submitted for 21 Bridge St., the location of several businesses, including the unlicensed Motoriot car dealership.
Motoriot, owned by Jason Doornick and Charles Narwohl, opened last February before receiving necessary land use approvals or a locational license from the state. Relationships between Doornick and Narwohl and town officials have been frosty since March when they were notified that they needed land use approvals. The pair would have run out of extensions for their application on Thursday, Aug. 8 and were faced with a cease-and-desist order.
Last week, Doornick and Narwohl made 11th-hour appearances before the Sewer and Planning and Zoning commissions on Aug. 7 and 8. They needed approval from the Sewer Commission before the PZC could give its imprimatur.
Before the PZC weighed the final site plan, resident Joshua Craig appeared to state his continuing concerns about the business property, which is owned by Guy Mauri.
“My main concern is the property, which has a multitude of businesses,” he said, mentioning four that are registered. “I don’t know how many businesses are approved to be there. My issue is the continued neglect [of Motoriot] in regard to the community.”
He said that the company had two large industrial trucks parked on the sidewalk in front of it last week, forcing pedestrians to cross busy Route 341 to the opposite walk. He worried about what would happen when school opens and children are walking to school in that area.
“If they have complied with all the regulations, the commission has no choice but to approve it. But we must be very vigilant about any future violations.”
—Shelby Green, PZC member
He also mentioned that workers at the business are parking on residential Elizabeth Street. There is no legal restriction to parking there and PZC member Larry Dumoff noted later in the meeting that the industrial trucks were doing required sewer work for the business and had been parked in that location to prevent pedestrians falling into manholes.
PZC Chairman Wesley Wyrick agreed that it had been “a long slog” to get the application to the point of action, admitting, “I don’t really like the neighborliness of the applicants because there have been many, many complaints. But the application is complete, and we are not here to judge personalities.”
He surveyed commission members about their opinions. Land Use Administrator Tai Kern said all requirements had been met but, individually, members expressed concerns about the future behavior of the owners. They urged that Kern keep a close eye on its operation.
“If they have complied with all the regulations, the commission has no choice but to approve it,” said member Shelby Green, echoing the sentiments of others. “But we must be very vigilant about any future violations.”
Member Anne McAndrew questioned whether Kern would have time to monitor the business regularly. “I don’t know that she wants to be put in that position,” McAndrew observed. In response, Kern said that there was little she could do about parking violations, and that that would be a matter for police.
The partners must still obtain a locational license from the state. The commission discussed whether approval could be made conditional on the license being obtained in two months. Kern said she had sought legal counsel on the matter and was told the town had no liability if a state license is not obtained. “It’s on the business to assume the risk,” she said.
“This application has taken a great deal of the commission’s time, and we need to move on,” said Wyrick, calling for a motion to approve it. There was a prolonged pause with no response from members. “Anyone?” Wyrick asked. Finally, the approval was moved, seconded and passed.
The young men said the application had been a learning process for them. “You’ve seen a lot of survival tactics,” Doornick said. “I want you to know we understand how you feel and hope we can move forward on a more positive note.”
“I hope you can be a good neighbor,” Wyrick said. “We’ll be watching.”
