Zoning Board mulls plans for expanded business on Cranberry Highway
Zoning Board of Appeals members were impressed with a 26-year-old’s plan to expand his business on Cranberry Highway, but told him to focus on preventing potential environmental hazards.
On Wednesday, Boone Ferri, who operates Ferri Equipment at 3127 Cranberry Highway, appeared before the board seeking a special permit to sell used vehicles during a public hearing.
For the past year and a half, Ferri has sold used heavy equipment, such as backhoes, on the lot. Business has been good, he said, and he wants to expand by selling newer equipment, trailers and open a repair shop to service that equipment.
He said his clients come from Provincetown to Providence and north to Boston.
The permit, known as a Class II license, is required to sell motor vehicles. Board members noted that heavy equipment is not considered a motor vehicle under Massachusetts law, but trailers are.
Board members expressed support for the expansion.
“This is a great, great plan,” said Chair Nazih Elkallassi. “Wareham is a blue collar town. It’s good to have someone local to fix this type of equipment.”
However, Ferri did not arrive with a set of site plans drafted by an engineer or a way to mitigate potential oil spills on the site.
“I believe a project this size needs a proper entrance from the road,” said Elkallassi. “Also, there could be a big impact if fluids spill, it needs proper drainage in the garage.”
That said, Elkallassi noted the board was willing to work with Ferri.
“This is a ‘yes’ board,” he said. “We want to help businesses.”
Elkallassi floated the idea of granting Ferri a special permit, and then after three years the board would require him to submit a formal site plan review and set of engineered plans.
The Zoning Board of Appeals did not vote on Ferri’s permit Wednesday night, opting to continue the hearing to Aug. 10.
Elkallassi said in the meantime, he wanted the board to consider his suggestion and Ferri to think about a detailed plan for the expansion.