Madison Planning Board backs 5-foot setback, advances dental office plan

The Madison Planning Board voted 5-0 to send a revised setback ordinance to a special town meeting after a public hearing where residents raised questions about heat pumps, parking, and property use. The board also approved the site plan for a new Madison Dental Group building on Old Point Avenue and set its next meeting for Oct. 27.

Key points

• The board voted 5-0 to forward the setback ordinance, which would cut the required setback from 15 feet to 5 feet, to a special town meeting expected the last Monday in October.
• Residents questioned how the 5-foot setback would affect heat pumps, operable vehicles, walkways, and existing small lots; Town Planner Amy Clark said heat pumps and similar equipment are allowed projections.
• The board approved the Madison Dental Group site plan review, a one-story building with 13 operatories, a six-foot cedar fence, and 30 parking spaces, after reviewing all SR-7 standards.
• Board members noted the dental office does not plan to store flammable or explosive materials, though nitrous oxide use was briefly discussed.
• Chair Jay Watt said the setback change was prompted by citizen feedback and that the board had held multiple meetings on it.
• During citizen concerns, residents asked about the status of public spaces planning; officials said that work would follow the setback ordinance, with a goal of the June town meeting.

Next steps

• The board set its next meeting for Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. instead of the usual second Tuesday.
• A subdivision application is expected at the next planning board meeting, according to Code Enforcement Officer Danny Moody.
• The board is still waiting on information from Dustin regarding a chiropractic office.
• Officials plan to schedule a full year of meetings to avoid future conflicts with the select board.

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