A trailer coffee business that was issued a cease-and-desist order from the Town of Rindge appeared before the Zoning Board on Tuesday, seeking variances to allow it to continue to operate.

Andrew Krook, the owner of the business, said he originally built the trailer for his daughter, who didn’t end up using it. His family came up with the idea of using the trailer to create a mobile coffee shop that they could run off their property on Grassy Pond Road. It seemed like good timing, he said, as Aroma Joe’s in Rindge was shut down at the time.

Krook said he attempted to ensure that such a business was allowed, and in April, his daughter discussed the concept with town Planning Director Al Bump. After a discussion about several aspects of the business, Krook said that Bump informed them home occupations were allowed in the residential district, and Krook moved forward with opening the trailer shop.

Krook said after they had opened, while working at the trailer, they were approached by a woman who did not identify herself, but informed them that they were in violation of town rules. Three days later, they were served a cease-and-desist order from the town.

Krook said he had a follow-up conversation with Bump, who indicated that in the previous conversation, he was under the impression that it was an in-home coffee shop, though Krook said it was made clear that it would be in a trailer from the start. Bump then advised Krook that if he wanted to continue the business, he would have to receive a variance, and Krook then applied.

Krook is seeking variances from the town’s home occupation ordinance, which allows home occupations if they are in an existing home, as long as it is subordinate to the residential use and takes up no more than 25% of the home space, as well as having no exterior storage, no more than one vehicle regularly parked that is associated with the business and does not produce excess noise, dust, odor or light.

Krook is also seeking a variance for the permitted uses of the residential district, which is primarily for single-family dwellings on separate lots, but does allow some non-residential uses, such as churches and beds and breakfasts, after approval of a site plan or special exception from the town.

Don Totham, a Grassy Pond Road resident, said he had several concerns about a commercial venture operating on the road. He said he has lived on the road for 23 years, and if it was approved, he would feel the need to fence and post his property.

“I’m very concerned about people trespassing on my property,” he said.

Totham said he also had concerns about trash, parking and additional traffic coming and leaving from Grassy Pond Road onto Cathedral Road, which he said was an “extremely dangerous” stretch.

Krook said a mobile coffee shop provides a valuable service to the community in a convenient location without negatively impacting neighboring properties. He said it is in line with previous small-scale businesses on the property, including a bait shop at one time.

Resident Judy Unger-Clark pointed out that the residential district explicitly prohibits manufactured or mobile homes, and that the home occupation ordinance was for businesses within a residence, saying that this application should be denied on those grounds.

“Where it the home that we are describing a home business?” she said. “I really think this needs to be denied.”

“The mobile coffee trailer adds value to the area without creating an undue burden on the town or surrounding properties,” Krook said.

The hours Krook is proposing is 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, on a seasonal basis.

The board agreed to continue the hearing Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.