Developer Modifies Design For Commercial Building

By Andrew Gorosko

The developer of a 6,000-square-foot commercial building proposed for South Main Street has modified the structure’s design following a session at which the town’s Design Advisory Board reviewed the architectural aspects of the project.

Developer Robert Mastroni proposes the building for land at the intersection of South Main Street and Bryan Lane. The building would be used for retail stores or office space. Mr  Mastroni is seeking a special exception to the zoning regulations to construct a two-story structure at 224 South Main Street.

The proposed building would face South Main Street but have vehicle access from Bryan Lane. Bryan Lane formerly was known as Washbrook Road. The 1.7-acre site is just north of Sand Hill Plaza. A house formerly occupied the steeply sloped site.

Architect John Ruffalo, representing Mr Mastroni, told Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members at a November 3 public hearing that design aspects of the proposed 6,000-square-foot building will be modified based on comments that were made by the town’s three-member Design Advisory Board. Two architects and a one landscape architect are on that panel.

Window designs and roofing details will be altered to give the structure a Colonial-style appearance, Mr Ruffalo said. The roofing will have architectural-grade shingles, he said. Also, an elevation drawing will be provided to the review panel for its members’ comments, he said.

The heating-ventilation-air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment for the building would be obscured from view, Mr Ruffalo added. Each level of the building would have three spaces for tenants, for a total of six tenant spaces.

Engineer Larry Edwards, representing Mr Mastroni, told P&Z members that Conservation Commission members, acting as the town’s aquifer protection review agency, were still considering certain environmental aspects of the development proposal. The Conservation Commission makes aquifer protection recommendations upon which the P&Z acts.

The environmentally sensitive site lies immediately south of the Pootatuck River and is across South Main Street from United Water’s wellfield for the central public water supply. The property is in the town’s Aquifer Protection District (APD). The P&Z strengthened its aquifer protection regulations in 1999.

On November 3, P&Z members closed the public hearing on the 6,000-square-foot commercial building, which had begun on October 6. Action on the development application is expected at an upcoming session.