Storage Garage Raises Concerns; P&Z Approves Restaurant Space
The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) met over Zoom on May 6 to discuss an application about a hobby/storage garage on Berkshire Road, an application for converting office space to restaurant space on South Main Street, and an application for constructing garage/storage space and office space on Commerce Road.
For the Commerce Road discussion, P&Z Chair Don Mitchell said at the start of the meeting that the public hearing for Application 21.12 by John Vollmer, concerning a site development plan for River Park Properties at 21 Commerce Road, would not be discussed that evening. The applicant requested the public hearing wait until the next P&Z public meeting, May 20.
Storage Garage
The first item discussed was Application 21.10 by Melanie and Brian DiStante for a special exception for a property located at 214 Berkshire Road, to permit the construction of a 2,880-square-foot hobby/storage garage.
The applicants represented themselves and told the commission the main purpose of the garage would be to store multiple vehicles.
Brian explained, “I have several old cars that I’d like to store. My father was also a carpenter/woodworker and he passed away, and I have all his machines that I’d like to restore and keep for my kids, if they would like them, or donate them for school.”
Mitchell said a lot of documentation is required for a special exception, to which Brian replied that they provided a booklet with all the information and filled out the applications provided to them.
The couple assured the P&Z that they have no interest in using the hobby/storage garage for commercial use.
P&Z member Barbara Manville asked how the size of the garage would compare to the house on the property.
“It would be bigger, square-foot wise,” Brian said.
The family does not currently occupy the property but hopes to in the next five to six years.
P&Z member Corinne Cox inquired if there would be a driveway put in leading up to the proposed garage.
Melanie said that on Chestnut Hill there is currently an apron they have that leads up to the garage. As for what the garage will look like, Melanie said it will be a ribbed steel Morton Building.
Sandy Hook residents Michael Wilmot and Rebecca Rudolph, who live on the neighboring property, expressed their concerns when the public was invited to comment on the application.
Wilmot said that the garage being twice the size of the house is a concern, as is the location where the structure is proposed to be built.
“We are going to be looking at an enormous steel structure… In my opinion it’s a commercial building, and that’s going to be basically right in our backyard. It’s abutting up almost to the property line,” Wilmot said.
Wilmot said there are also dead ash trees that do not provide a visual buffer.
Rudolph added, “I also think it is important to note that there is a significant amount of water back there… and a little stream that runs back through there and quite a bit of wildlife that resides there.”
Sandy Hook resident Eileen Byrnes, whose property is nearby, brought up several concerns, including possible gas and oil leakage from the cars. She said that since the house is not the applicant’s primary residence, the issue could go on for an extended period of time without them knowing and affect the water table and wells.
Byrnes also said the proposed structure is not aesthetically attractive, does not fit with the neighborhood, and could impact flooding in the area, as she mentioned the house on the property has already flooded before.
“I have to say, I’m a little concerned with the commission, because I’m almost getting the impression that you think of this as a done deal and I’m not sure it is,” she added.
Brian answered that the property’s home had previously flooded because of an issue with the sump pump, but new equipment is in place now.
Sandy Hook resident Sean Dunn, who also resides in the area, asked specifics about the vehicle maintenance, such as car washes and detailing. He mentioned chemicals could seep into the wetlands.
Mitchell commented that Dunn’s concern was outside the scope of the P&Z commission’s considerations and may be better suited for the Health or Building Departments.
Sandy Hook residents Lisa and Tom Cahalane, who live close to the property, also spoke up about their concern for the size of the outbuilding being larger than the residence, and that they felt it is not appropriate for a residential zone.
“It will dominate the property,” Lisa said.
Mitchell requested the applicants review Articles 10 and 11 of the Zoning Regulations and contact the Land Use Agency in order to provide more documentation for the record.
P&Z member Roy Meadows expressed concern about the wetlands.
The commission decided to continue the public hearing for the P&Z’s next Zoom meeting, May 20, at 7 pm.
Office To Restaurant Space
The last public hearing of the evening was for Application 21.11 by HBN Corp Park LLC for a Zone Change and Site Development Plan, for a property located at 153 South Main Street.
The applicant is also looking to change the zone from M-1 to Special Development District #8 (SDD8) and convert 2,725 square feet of existing office space to a restaurant with a 1,850-square-foot outdoor dining area.
When Mitchell mentioned that the application seemed familiar, he was reminded that the applicant was approved for a text amendment to the zoning regulations to create the South Main Village Design District #8, but they had not yet been approved to be in the zone.
The text amendment approval took place at the P&Z’s December 3, 2020, meeting, detailed in The Newtown Bee’s article, “P&Z Approves Hilario’s Application With Conditions, New South Main Village Design District.”
Representing the applicant were Solli Engineering landscape architect Mary Blackburn and project engineer Matt Baldino.
Blackburn shared the site plan and landscape plan.
Baldino reviewed the two septic systems and the work that will be done.
After some questions from the commission, Blackburn confirmed there would be 73 seats inside the restaurant and ten outside on the patio, with the possibility of shifting to more outdoor dining in the warmer months.
“Can you describe the proposed restaurant?” Meadows asked.
Blackburn said it would be focused on serving lunch and dinner — not breakfast.
P&Z alternate member David Rosen inquired how it would impact the Route 25 traffic and the restaurant that already exists across the street.
Baldino said both properties’ ingresses and egresses are “stop sign controlled” and the two restaurants’ driveways were about 350 feet apart.
Members of the public did not comment when given the opportunity.
The public hearing was closed and the motion to accept Application 21.11 passed unanimously. The approval will become effective May 29, 2021.
For more information about upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, visit newtown-ct.gov/planning-zoning-commission.
Alissa Silber can be contacted at alissa@thebee.com.