Date: Fri 20-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Avance-Esthetiques-Volpe

Full Text:

P&Z Creates New Business Zone Adjacent To Sand Hill Plaza

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have unanimously approved a zone

change for land just north of Sand Hill Plaza from Residential-1 to Business-1

so that a day spa now at the plaza can relocate there and expand its

operations.

P&Z members approved the zone change request from Judith and Bob Volpe of

Southbury on June 13. Mrs Volpe operates Avance Esthetiques, a spa at Sand

Hill Plaza which provides services such as massages, body treatments and

facials.

The Volpes sought the zone change for 224 South Main Street, where they plan

to construct a new building to house an expanded day spa. They also sought the

zone change for the adjacent properties, 220 and 216 South Main Street. The

Volpes presented letters from the owners of 220 and 216 South Main Street,

endorsing converting the zoning for those properties from residential to

business.

P&Z Chairman Stephen Koch said he has some "mixed emotions" about converting

residential property to business property, but on balance doesn't oppose this

particular zone change.

"It was a very, very sound application," said P&Z member Heidi Winslow.

"It's almost a unique piece of property along (Route) 25," she said.

The 9.3 acre site on the west side of South Main Street requested for rezoning

is comprised of three residential parcels. Sand Hill Plaza lies to the south.

Resurrection Cemetery is to the north.

"It's practically a unique application....It does appear to be a very

appropriate use for this (land)," Ms Winslow said.

P&Z member Daniel Fogliano said, "This really is in keeping with what the

property should be used for."

Ms Winslow noted that no one spoke in opposition to the zone change request.

But she pointed out that 220 and 216 South Main Street are very deep lots. Ms

Winslow recommended that the P&Z not rezone all of those two lots as business

property, but leave strips of residentially-zoned land along the rear of the

two lots. That buffer would separate any future business uses at 220 and 216

South Main Street from any future residential uses behind those lots.

P&Z members agreed to create 100-foot deep buffer areas along the rear ends of

the two lots.

Riverview, LLC, has proposed construction of a 49-unit multifamily housing

complex in that area, off Washbrook Road.

The Volpes hold an option to buy the 1.75-acre 224 South Main Street from

James and Joan Crick of 7 Glover Avenue. The land is in an area that's largely

commercially developed.

Mr Volpe has said Avance Esthetiques doesn't have expansion opportunities at

Sand Hill Plaza, so it wants to build a new facility and move. The new

building that would house the spa would contain one or two other businesses.

Avance Esthetiques' construction proposal for 224 South Main Street would be

subject to P&Z review.

The building Avance Esthetiques would occupy would contain about 8,000 square

feet of space. The spa would use about 5,000 square feet of that space.

Mr Volpe has said it's unclear the uses to which 220 and 216 South Main Street

would be put if those properties have business zoning.

In April, the Volpes informally presented the idea of a zone change to the

P&Z. P&Z members then asked Avance Esthetiques to prepare a formal proposal

for their consideration.