05/14/2008 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Minutes

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Mashpee Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes 7 May 14, 2008 10 Mr. Stevens states that he is not against affordable housing, he is just enforcing the states codes that deter people from staying in a motel for more than 30 days and making them into long term homes. Rebecca Robbins, 71 Main Street, an abutter that lives directly across the street, filed the complaint. She stated that she continues to see school buses picking up children there which indicates that people with families are living there. Attornev Jena Caruso, Town Counsel: She states that the Building Commissioner is correctly interpreting the state law referring to the word "primarily" There are numerous case law and statutues that side with Mr. Stevens. Simply put, Mr. White needs to abide by the motel standards The Board will now take testimony from any audience members that have an interest in the matter along with discussion from the Board. Mr. Nelson asks Mr. White if children are staying/living there? Mr. White tells him that yes, there is one family since December. Mr. Blaisdell, Board member what does the word "primarily" mean? It should be only able to stay less than 30 days. Attorney Mills states that you cant just throw out the word "primarily". The question is "how transient"? Mike Robbins, 71 Main Street — States he is in complete opposition to over turning the Building Commissioner's decision. He feels this was done correctly and that Mr. White is not following the Mass States Codes. He states that this motel and the people living in it are a detriment to the neighborhood. He begins to mention how many of the residents have police records — Attorney Mills interrupts with a point of order saying that has no relevance to the case at hand. Chairman Nelson states that Mr. Robbins may not discuss police records or police calls. Karen Cowin; 56 Main Street is also in opposition to this matter. She first inquired about the motel and asked if it was a year round motel or not before she bought her house. She was told it was not. She feels it depreciates her property. Her bedroom directly abuts one of the units and has seen the same woman and her child reside in the same unit for over 2 years. She asks what the reference to 76% is .. is it out of 100%? Ms. Cowin also feels the motel is in violation of the rules. .Janice Mills: A Mashpee resident speaks to the fact that children should not be living in a motel — it has come to her attention that children registered in the Mashpee Schools are residing there and that concerns her very much. This is not a replacement for affordable housing and does not coincide with owning a motel. David Drowlev: He asks the Board about the ownership issue — it should not be called Affordable Housing - Peter White explains the actual name is Affordable Housing of New England and that is what it should have read.