A pre-application from Sherwood Farm LLC to convert a fire-damaged residential cottage at 10 Sherwood Ave to an office and storage space in the RA2 zone was reviewed on Wednesday.
The commission referenced a 2019 P&Z commission decision letter with approval for a nursery for the propagation and sale of wetland plantings.
There was another approval in 2022 when the Commission approved the construction of a shed along with a storage container and exterior material storage bays.
In 2024 the cottage was damaged by a fire.
1930 residential cottage previously used by a family member was damaged by fire in 2024. Photo from applicant’s presentation
1930 residential cottage previously used by a family member was damaged by fire in 2024. Photo from applicant’s presentation
The commission said they were concerned about expanding non-conformities in a residential neighborhood.
Attorney for the applicant Tom Heagney said there would be no change in the operation of the wholesale nursery as a result of the application. The only new construction would be for a roof over an existing deck to protect materials from weathering. The remainder of the work would be interior, including a handicapped accessible bathroom.
Commissioner Nick Macri said, “There is a long history with this piece of property. I’m looking for a complete understanding of what’s going on in the site…I want to make sure that what I’m looking at is what we’ve approved in the past.”
“This all came up as part of the 2022 decision where we were looking to move the access way to the site so it was over where you could see cars coming,” Heagney said. “And to confirm the location of the exterior storage bins that are used as part of the nursery.”
Alban said, the commission in 2019 approved a specialized nursery for the propagation and sale of wetland plantings.
“It’s not clear to me what else is going on site?” Alban said. “Do you have other commercial landscaping activities that are different from this specialized nursery?…Someone said, not too long ago, before I knew we had this application, that there they bought their firewood from this place.”
“What’s the full scope of what’s going on that you need this expansion of space rather than keep it residential?” she asked.
Heagney said, “I’m not familiar with the sale of firewood, but we presented to you in 2019 and 2022 that this is specialized wetlands plantings and soils that are specific and specialized – needed to make a rain garden work are part of the business.”
“As I remember this does not allow retail,” Alban said. “It’s only the wetlands plantings sold to commercial people. If the commission wanted to go see this, we would need a site walk. Maybe that would address this.”
“My question is how is this operating now because of the concern about the level of intrusion in a residential zone.”
Alban quoted the decision letter: “Whereas the applicant has indicated that a sample wetland plant shall be displayed near the southerly area of the property, to provide for a reduction in inventory and allow customers to choose from the display prior to delivery.”
“I’m seeing storage in front of the building,” Macri said. “I want to know what is going on up there.”
“Whereas the stock shall be held on site no more than a week,” she added from the approval letter.
“Is the commercial use staying within the scope originally approved. And, if so, why the need for the expansion now because we had envisioned it as something very small.”
“I would describe this as not large. This isn’t Shemin’s on King Street – or whatever it’s called now – where tractor trailers are coming in daily,” Heagney said.
“There would be an office dedicated to the operation, rather than my client operating it in his house. It does not expand what the business is. It’s just to keep some material from getting weathered – and another office.”
“I don’t know how to get our arms around it. Just looking for reassurance it’s not encroaching more on the residential,” Alban said, adding that even though the nearest neighbor was the Merritt Parkway, the neighborhood was residential.
Heagney said all the questions would be answered when the applicant returns with a final application.
See also: