Foster council moves forward on wide-ranging zoning, business license and nuisance changes

The Foster Town Council on Feb. 20 heard detailed proposals from town planning staff and the planning board to update Foster’s business, nuisance and zoning codes and approved most recommendations after public discussion.

Grant McGregor, the town planner (introduced in public comments and presenting the hearing), told the council the business‑license section would add a default penalty where none exists and proposed a $100 fine: "it's proposed to, have the, fine for penalty of the chapter be $100," he said during the hearing. He also described a new provision to require businesses to have a dumpster or an approved alternative storage container, with permits and inspections handled by the DPW director and enforcement assigned to the building official or DPW director.

Why it matters: the package of changes aims to give the town clearer authority to enforce sanitation and safety standards, align local code language with state statutes, and update fees the town charges businesses. Supporters said the rules will close regulatory gaps; opponents raised concerns about cost and operational impacts on small businesses and about trash and recycling logistics.

Key details: the council-recorded proposals included:
- A requirement that businesses demonstrate on renewal that a dumpster or an approved storage container is present and compliant; screening, setback and maintenance standards were described by planning staff.
- Nuisance/dumpster penalties modeled on neighboring communities with escalating fines: not more than $100 per day for a first offense, up to $250 per day for a second offense, and up to $500 per day for subsequent offenses, with enforcement lying with the director of public works or the building/zoning official.
- A zoning enforcement proposal that would allow fines to rise to $500 per day if no corrective action is taken within 14 days of notice, a change staff said aligns with the town’s goal of resolving long‑standing violations.
- Numerous business license fee adjustments (see "Votes at a glance" below) including increases for alcohol, entertainment, campground, flea market and other license categories.

Public reaction: residents questioned a proposed 10‑foot setback for dumpsters near residential property lines, asking whether that distance is sufficient to avoid nuisance impacts. Multiple residents also reported observing businesses placing large recycling bins and raised concerns about trucks mixing recyclables with trash; councilors and planning staff said the town will investigate reported practices and consider operational impacts tied to landfill tonnage charges.

Council action and next steps: Councilors voted to approve a large set of planning board recommendations at the meeting but explicitly removed or deferred some sections for further clarification before final adoption, including the hotel/motel license fee, the theater license definition, and the gravel/earth‑removal licensing provisions. Planning staff said some sections remain subject to state law alignment and additional drafting.

Votes at a glance: during the Feb. 20 meeting the council approved a comprehensive list of planning board recommendations covering many sections of the business, planning and zoning chapters (the record shows the council motioned to accept the recommendations and then voted in favor). Several specific items were set aside for later review.

What comes next: the proposed text and fee schedules remain subject to the town’s second public hearing and final council action where required. Planning staff and the planning board will continue to refine setback details, fee crosswalks for multi‑use businesses, and dumpster‑permit procedures in response to public and council questions.