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Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting Agenda (minutes)

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FRANKLIN ZONING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Franklin Public Library – 310 Central Street
Minutes
Call to Order - 6:36 p.m.
Attendance: Chairman Gregory Thompson; Yama Ploskonka; Justine Foden; Cecile Cormier; Alternate Damon Lewis
Absent: Mario Machado; Alternate Lori Seog
Staff present: Planning & Zoning Director David Chunn; Planning & Zoning Administrative Assistant Cynthia Watkins
Salute to the Flag
Roll Call
Chairman Gregory Thompson provided an overview of Zoning Board procedures and explained the delayed 
start of the meeting, attendance requirements, and voting procedures.
Approval of Minutes of the April 8, 2026 Public Meeting of the Board
Member Foden made a motion to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Member Ploskonka. No discussion or 
amendments.  Motion carried 3-0-2.
New Business
Z26-06: Beau Gregg, applicant, seeking a variance from Article III District Regulations, 305-13 Permitted Uses and
Special Exceptions, to allow for a Tattoo Parlor in a zoning district where such a use is not currently permitted by
right.  The property is located at 436 Central Street, in the B-2 [High-Density Business & Commercial] zoning district.
Approval of Minutes of the April 8, 2026 Public Meeting of the Board
Member Foden made a motion to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Member Ploskonka. No amendments 
were proposed. Motion carried 3-0-2.
New Business
Z26-06: Beau Gregg, applicant
Seeking a variance from Article III District Regulations, 305-13 Permitted Uses and Special Exceptions to allow for a 
tattoo parlor in a zoning district where such use is not currently permitted by right. The property is located at 436 
Central Street in the B-2 [High-Density Business & Commercial] zoning district.
Beau Gregg presented the application and explained that he intends to relocate his existing tattoo business to a 
larger and more visible location. The applicant discussed the operation of the business, anticipated customer 
volume, and business hours. He noted that the business operates primarily by appointment and that there have 
been no issues associated with his current location.

Board members asked questions regarding the proposed location, hours of operation, customer traffic, and 
compatibility with neighboring uses. The applicant indicated he would be agreeable to reasonable restrictions on 
operating hours if required.
Director David Chunn reported that all abutters within 100 feet of the property had been properly notified and that 
no complaints had been received. He further reported that inquiries with the Franklin Police Department revealed no
issues associated with the applicant's current business.
Opened to public comment – none.
The Board deliberated whether the request met the variance criteria and was appropriate for the location. Members 
commented that the proposal appeared compatible with the surrounding commercial area and represented the 
relocation of an existing business rather than the creation of a new use.
Member Ploskonka made a motion to approve. Motion seconded by Member Foden. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Z26-05: Alyssa LaFoe, applicant
Seeking a variance and special exception to allow for a home occupation that is not otherwise outlined as a 
permitted use under Section 305-25(C) Home Occupations of the Franklin Zoning Ordinance. The property is located
at 3 Robert Street in the RR [Rural Residential] zoning district.
Director David Chunn provided background information regarding the application and the operation of the 
business. He explained that the use involves dog daycare and boarding services and noted that the ordinance does 
not specifically address the use as proposed. Discussion included how the use relates to the ordinance definition of a
kennel and the need for variance relief and special exception approval.
Attorney Stephanie Johnson presented on behalf of the applicant and reviewed the variance and special exception 
criteria. She stated that the business had been operating for approximately two years, that the applicants were 
unaware zoning relief was required when the business began, and that an application was submitted promptly once 
the issue was identified. She described the operation as a small-scale business with limited clientele and controlled 
pick-up and drop-off times.
The applicants described the business, explaining that an average of ten to twelve dogs are cared for daily. They 
stated that the operation focuses on supervised daycare and boarding services, utilizes private rooms when 
necessary, and accepts only dogs that can safely participate in group settings. The applicants emphasized safety, 
vaccination requirements, and the absence of plans for expansion.
Board members asked questions regarding the number of dogs, operating procedures, length of stays, traffic, 
property size, prior complaints, and the overall impact on the neighborhood. Staff noted that only one complaint 
concerning the existence of the business had been received and that no additional complaints related to traffic or 
safety had been documented.
Opened to public comment.
Members of the public spoke both in support of and in opposition to the application. Supporters described the 
applicants as responsible business owners, praised the quality of care provided, and stated that they had not 
observed significant noise or traffic impacts. Opponents expressed concerns regarding increased traffic, vehicle 
speeds, neighborhood character, noise associated with dogs, and the potential precedent for additional business 
activity within a residential neighborhood. Questions were also raised regarding petition signatures, prior operation 
of the business without zoning approvals, and future growth of the business.

Following public comment, the Board discussed the variance criteria, the ordinance definition of a kennel, the scale 
of the operation, and potential future expansion. The Board was reminded to base its decision on the applicable 
legal standards and evidence presented. 
During deliberations on the Special Exception request, Board members discussed whether the proposed use 
complied with the ordinance limitation regarding the percentage of the residence devoted to a home occupation. 
Member Lewis questioned how the 25% limitation was being calculated and whether it applied only to interior living
space. The applicant explained that approximately 25% of the residence was claimed for business purposes and 
reported for tax purposes. The Board discussed the interpretation of the ordinance and whether the existing 
operation satisfied the applicable requirements of the Home Occupation provisions
Member Ploskonka made a motion to approve the variance. Motion seconded by Alternate Damon Lewis. Motion 
carried 4-1-0.
Director David Chunn then reviewed the special exception criteria with the Board. Additional discussion occurred 
regarding the percentage of the residence devoted to the business operation. During deliberations, Board members 
discussed whether the home occupation met the ordinance requirement limiting commercial use to 25% of the 
dwelling. Questions were raised regarding the method used to calculate the percentage and whether the restriction 
applied solely to interior square footage. The applicant stated that approximately 25% of the residence was claimed 
for business use. The Board considered this information along with the other Special Exception criteria before taking 
action.
Member Ploskonka made a motion to approve the special exception. Motion seconded by Member Cormier. 
Motion carried 3-2-0.
Other Business
The election of officers for the positions of Vice Chair and Secretary was listed on the agenda. No action was taken.
Adjournment
Member Cormier made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Member Ploskonka. Motion carried 5-0-0. 
Meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
The next scheduled meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustments is Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. The 
deadline date for submission of applications for this meeting is Wednesday, June 17, 2026. 
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Watkins
Administrative Assistant for Planning & Zoning