Overview:
Whipps Inc., a manufacturer of customizable water control equipment, has received approval to construct a new 31,850-square-foot building at 446 South Athol Road. The new building will be used for manufacturing, assembly, and shipping operations, and is expected to add approximately 25 jobs. The project includes a large infiltration basin for stormwater management and will utilize existing water and sewer services, as well as a new fire line.
ATHOL – The Planning and Community Development Board approved a major site plan review application for Whipps Inc. to construct a 31,850-square-foot building at 446 South Athol Road.
The company, which makes customizable water control equipment, has an existing site at 370 South Athol Road.
Chris Stoddard of Stoddard Engineering presented the proposal during a public hearing held May 6 for the new building. Plans call for concrete to be poured on the site this month, with the building to be constructed in June.
Tim Clark, vice president and plant manager for Whipps, said the new building would be used for manufacturing, assembly and shipping operations. He said the company needs additional space to keep up with growing demand.
“We’re selling a need, not a want,” Clark said.
He said Whipps currently has about 125 full-time employees and estimated the expansion could add roughly 25 more jobs. Existing parking areas across the street will be used, with no new onsite parking proposed. He added the structure will be designed to accommodate overhead cranes used inside the facility.
Stoddard said the property already contains large paved areas and disturbed land from previous industrial use.
“This building is actually a redevelopment as well,” he said.
Stoddard said the project includes a large infiltration basin for stormwater management and will utilize existing water and sewer services already serving the property, along with a new fire line.
The board approved several project waivers after reviewing downward-facing lighting fixtures designed to meet dark sky standards, landscaping plans for the front of the building and soil testing submitted for the stormwater system.
Board Chair Dave Small agreed that the site’s previous industrial use and existing conditions reduced the need for additional outside peer review.
“It’s an extremely flat lot that’s been totally obliterated over the years,” Small said.
The approval limits construction hours to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, unless otherwise approved in writing.
The board unanimously approved the application following the close of the public hearing.
Other matters
Later in the meeting, board members reviewed a proposed zoning bylaw amendment that would increase zoning violation fines from $100 to $300 per day. Director of Planning and Community Development Eric Smith said the proposed amount matches the maximum allowed under state law.
Much of the discussion centered on odor complaints connected to marijuana cultivation facilities and dispensaries. Smith said town officials and Selectboard members have continued receiving complaints from residents.
Board member Aimee Hanson said residents had previously been told odors would be controlled when cannabis businesses were approved in town.
“We promised our community that this wouldn’t be stinking up our town,” she said.
Smith said complaints must be submitted in writing to the town’s zoning enforcement officer before formal action can be taken. Board members also discussed continuing to work with businesses to address complaints before escalating enforcement measures.
Small said the proposed amendment would apply broadly to zoning violations.
“This isn’t targeted to any particular business or anything,” Small said. “This is the general bylaw.”
The board voted to move the proposed amendment to a public hearing scheduled for June 3.
The board also reviewed amendments to the town’s accessory dwelling unit zoning bylaw requested by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Members voted to support a draft letter defending Athol’s requirement that accessory dwelling units provide one off-street parking space, pointing to limited public transportation options and winter parking restrictions.