TRR photo by Tom Kane Robert Gross of Tyler Hill protests the building of a bed and breakfast in Tyler Hill. (Click for larger image)

Two projects raise ire of Damascus residents

By TOM KANE

DAMASCUS — Residents crowded into the Damascus Township Hall last Monday evening to protest a newly planned bed and breakfast. A second proposed project inspired objections as well.

Dick Bennett of Tyler Hill wants to develop a bed and breakfast or, as he calls it a bed and board, on Route 371 and Griffiths Road in Tyler Hill. He’s already gone to the planning board, requesting a conditional use permit, and had to submit to a public hearing before the regular meeting of the township board. The township board must now give or refuse a permit.

“We’re arguing against it because of the traffic flow and other problems in the area,” said Robert Gross of Tyler Hill, who lives on an adjacent property. “The average speed along this road is 55 or 60 and it’s a 35-mile-an-hour zone. There are enough businesses along this section of road. We don’t need anymore.”

“I want to convert an old barn that’s been sitting around idle for the last 27 years,” Bennett said. “Right across the street, it’s zoned commercial. I could put a business there and I’d be legal. But I’d like to prevent that from happening.”

So many people wanted to speak that the board adjourned the meeting until next Monday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the township hall.

Later in the meeting, township zoning officer, Ed Lagarenne, put a request before the board from Doug Miller of Damascus, who wants to erect a transfer station for solid waste.

“There is no provision for such a use in our zoning ordinance and Mr. Miller is requesting it be included in our zoning,” Lagarenne said.

Miller, who was present at the meeting, said he planned to put the facility at the intersection of Route 371 and Rutledgedale Road.

Residents at the meeting protested that the facility should be placed in the industrial zone along Route 191.

“All we’re doing here is deciding if this kind of use should be included in the zoning,” Lagarenne said. “We’re not deciding whether to give permission or not for him to build. It has to go before the planning board first.”

The board directed that Miller should bring the matter before the planning board.

In other township matters, the board will hold an ethics meeting for all elected and appointed people in the township to discuss sensitivity to racial issues. The meeting arose from a racial remark by the chairman of the planning commission, Josh Sheard, at a meeting recently. The remark caused a furor in the township.

The board also decided to change the name of Dexter Road back to Plank Road, its original name until it was changed a short time ago.

The township now has a web site. It is www.damascustwp.org.