Monadnock Ledger-Transcript - Rindge Planning Board approves auto-service and screen-printing businesses on Route 119 property

A former gas station is set to become an autobody shop and screen-printing business after approvals from the Planning Board on Tuesday. Staff photo by Ashley Saari

By ASHLEY SAARI

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

The Rindge Planning Board approved two separate applications for the same Route 119 property on Tuesday, one allowing the use of a auto-service business, and the other for a screen-printing business.

The board originally considered both applications on Oct. 1, but continued until members could receive further information about the status of the septic system on the site. After receiving that information, both hearings included no input from the public on either application.

The applications, submitted by Granite Trust of New Ipswich, sought to create a new use for the former gas station at 1162 Route 119, which is in the town’s Gateway East Zoning District. The first application was to allow screen-printing and embroidering, and the other was for auto repair and associated use.

Planning Board Chair Roberta Oeser said it would be good to see the building revitalized.

“It’s good to see it used, rather than vacant. Frankly, it’s been an eyesore,” Oeser said.

Oeser questioned the wording of the application specifically for a screen-printing and embroidering business, suggesting that approval might be too narrow, and instead approving it for allowed uses of the Gateway districts.

The board approved the application with few conditions, including that any signage on the site has to comply with the town’s sign ordinance.

Regarding the auto service station, which will be on the same property, the board said there was some confusion in the language of the zoning ordinance, which seemed to make a distinction between service stations and auto repair.

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Oeser said the board may have to address those definitions in a future zoning amendment, but that for the purposes of this application, the uses being applied for seemed to be clear, and within the intent of the ordinance.

The board also discussed a requirement against outdoor storage, and questioned whether cars being dropped off or picked up by customers could be stored outside of the garage.

Oeser said in her view, “storage” indicated long-term storage, and wouldn’t include short-term parking of customer’s cars while they were being worked on or waiting to be worked on.

“You can’t rent the outside space to have people park their cars or trucks there,” Oeser clarified. “I think we’re splitting hairs here. I think the application is clear.”

The board briefly reviewed the requirements and determined the use wouldn’t be deleterious to the neighborhood by generating excessive disturbance, or negatively affect neighbors in the mainly business district.

The board unanimously approved the application.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or [email protected]. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.