Borough Zoning Commission (BZC) Chairman Douglas Nelson said last week the BZC in April plans to hold a public hearing on a series of proposed zoning regulation changes that are intended to clarify the intent of certain zoning rules as well as allow certain uses not currently permitted under the zoning rules.

The hearing is tentatively scheduled for 7 pm on Wednesday, April 10, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street.

Four BZC members present at a March 13 session discussed the proposed rule changes, which include both additions and deletions to the current regulations, Mr Nelson said March 19. Attending that BZC meeting were Mr Nelson, David Francis, Brid Craddock, and Margaret Hull.

The zoning rule changes would affect at least two proposed projects — the expansion of enclosed dining space at a commercial building at 33 Main Street, and the expansion of a commercial building at 11 Church Hill Road.

Dere Street Restaurant

Some of the proposed zoning rules would pertain to Dere Street Restaurant, which is in a B-1/2 (Business) zone in an 1890 building located at 33 Main Street.

Under the proposed rules, such a building, which is larger than 6,500 square feet and which existed prior to the zoning regulations, would be allowed to increase its enclosed square footage by up to ten percent, provided that certain conditions are met.

The owner of 33 Main Street wants to convert an outdoor patio dining area for Dere Street Restaurant, located on the southern side of the building, into enclosed space for year-round use. Until now, the restaurant has used that space, which is covered by a large awning, when weather permits.

That project would be subject to a zoning application to the borough zoning enforcement officer, according to Mr Nelson. The proposed physical changes to 33 Main Street have received a “certificate of appropriateness” from the Borough of Newtown Historic District Commission, Mr Nelson said. Such a certificate indicates that the proposed new construction is visually harmonious with the existing structure and the historic district.

11 Church Hill Road

The proposed borough zoning rules would more specifically explain how the “height” of a building is measured for the purposes of the zoning regulations, in terms of the initial grade of a site compared to its final grade. The proposed rules also add definitions that cover the terms “lot coverage,” “parking area,” and “setback.” Also, the proposed changes redefine the term “structure.”

Some of the definitions would come into play in terms of the potential redevelopment of the commercial property at 11 Church Hill Road, on the eastern corner of Church Hill Road and Wendover Road.

The 1.15-acre site, which has P-1 (Professional) zoning, holds a two-level building constructed in 1968, which contains professional offices. The owner of the property, known as 11 Church Hill Road LLC, wants to expand the roughly 8,000-square-foot structure to approximately 20,000 square feet of enclosed space. Such a project would expand the structure both laterally and vertically, providing space for offices and apartments.

The project is in the initial planning stages. An application for the project is expected in the coming months, according to Mr Nelson.