Date: Fri 19-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-store-size-limit

Full Text:

Proposed Limit On Store Sizes Gets Mixed Reviews

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Some people speaking at a July 11 public hearing think that the Planning and

Zoning Commission's (P&Z) proposal to limit retail and wholesale stores to a

maximum of 40,000 square feet is a good idea, while others think it's not so

smart.

P&Z members conducted the hearing to gauge public sentiment over limiting new

stores to 40,000 square feet, a move that would effectively prevent so-called

superstores, such as Wal-Marts, K-Marts and Home Depots from being built here.

P&Z Chairman Stephen Adams has explained that the commission is interested in

putting a 40,000-square foot limit on stores to curb the volume of traffic

traveling to and from them.

Last winter, the Borough Zoning Commission approved construction of a Big Y

supermarket in Newtown Shopping Center on Queen Street. The Big Y will be

larger than 55,000 square feet in floor area. The Borough Zoning Commission

has zoning regulations separate from the P&Z's land use rules.

In a letter to the P&Z read at the July 11 hearing, Jack McGarvey, head of the

Rocky Glen Area Association, a neighborhood group concerned about

overdevelopment, wrote that he supports a 40,000-square-foot limit on store

sizes. Such a size limit is prudent, considering there will be increased

developmental pressure in town after the municipal sewer system begins

operation, according to Mr McGarvey.

Resident James Osborne of Zoar Road pointed out that modern supermarkets

typically are 50,000 to 65,000 square feet in area. Mr Osborne said that

perhaps the owners of Sand Hill Plaza, the town's largest shopping center, are

interested in reconfiguring the mini-mall section of the shopping center into

one large store that contains 60,000 to 70,000 square feet of floor space.

Mr Osborne said he opposes an arbitrary size limit of 40,000 square feet being

placed on store sizes.

Norman Nagy of Cold Spring Road said he opposes a 40,000-square-foot size

limit because it could diminish the town's potential tax base by limiting

store sizes.

The Super Stop and Shop supermarket at Sand Hill Plaza, which is larger than

40,000 square feet, is a nice store, he said. Mr Nagy asked that the zoning

regulations remain as they are, without size limits on stores.

Jane Macomber of Parmalee Place, of the Newtown Neighborhoods Coalition, said

limiting the square footage of stores is a positive step toward improving the

zoning regulations.

Such size limits would help Newtown retain its identity and not become more

like heavily developed Danbury, according to Ms Macomber.

One resident pointed out that there are many large stores in Brookfield and

Danbury, in supporting of a 40,000-square-foot size limit.

Robert Hall, a local lawyer who often represents applicants before the P&Z,

said the 40,000-square-foot limit is an arbitrary one which doesn't serve the

purposes of the zoning regulations.

Mr Hall asked why the number 40,000 was chosen as an upper size limit.

He said he doesn't believe that any new supermarkets would be viable

businesses if they are limited to 40,000 square feet. He asked P&Z members

what types of stores would be allowed and what types of stores would be

prevented by a 40,000-square-foot limit.

Mr Hall said he doesn't believe it is business of a zoning commission to set

store sizes. Business competition should be the determining factor in the

maximum size of stores, he said.

Mr Adams said that from a practical perspective, the proposed regulation would

only limit new store sizes in local industrial zones, not in commercial zones.

Kurt Gillis of Jeremiah Road, a member of the Newtown Neighborhoods Coalition,

said most residents don't want big stores to locate in Newtown.

James Gaston of Main Street spoke in favor of a 40,000-square-foot limit on

store sizes.

Ernest Morgan of Pocono Road said he's glad the 55,000-square foot Big Y

supermarket will be built in town. Mr Morgan said he prefers to spend his

money in Newtown rather than in neighboring towns which have large stores.

Business competition is good, he said.

Thomas Maguire of Golden Pond Road, a local developer, said if a

40,000-square-foot size limit is imposed, Sand Hill Plaza wouldn't be able to

potentially consolidate its mini-mall area into a 50,000-square-foot store.

Mr Maguire said a 40,000-square-foot store size limit could economically hurt

Sand Hill Plaza in the future.

Following the hearing, Mr Adams said some good points were raised, adding that

he would like to consider them before taking action on the store size limit

proposal. Action on the matter is expected at a future P&Z session.