UPDATE (Wednesday, March 11, 2020): The Borough Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled for health and safety reasons in view of the coronavirus situation. The public hearing that was to have been held on proposed Borough “Landmark” zoning regulations will be rescheduled.

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Residents will have an opportunity to voice their opinions on a set of proposed borough “landmark” zoning regulations that would potentially apply to certain town-owned buildings in the borough, with the aim of preserving them due to their cultural, historical, and architectural significance.

Additionally, comments will be sought on a separate proposal to name Edmond Town Hall as the first town-owned building in the borough with landmark zoning status.

Both topics will be the subject of public hearings when the Borough Zoning Commission (BZC) meets at 7 pm, Wednesday, March 11, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street.

The Newtown Land Use Agency has submitted both proposals to the BZC for its review and action. The Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), which serves as the borough’s planning agency, has endorsed both proposals.

The regulations are being proposed because certain structures in the borough have value as “borough landmark buildings,” according to the Land Use Agency. That value exceeds the conventional standards of zoning regulations, thus requiring that each site deemed to be a landmark under the proposed regulations be considered as a special case with unique zoning regulations, according to the proposal.

The Land Use Agency says that such landmark buildings should be preserved because doing so is consistent with the sound development of the borough and with the 2014 Town Plan of Conservation and Development. Specifically, the zoning proposal includes provisions on unique permitted uses, special zoning permit uses, and prohibited uses for each structure designated as a landmark building.

In January, the Board of Selectmen authorized First Selectman Dan Rosenthal to pursue having Edmond Town Hall designated as a landmark building.

From 1930 until 2009, Edmond Town Hall was the local seat of government. In 2009, town offices transferred to the renovated former Bridgeport Hall at Fairfield Hills, renamed the Newtown Municipal Center.

Increased Revenue

Besides its preservational purpose, landmark zoning is proposed to formalize some existing uses of Edmond Town Hall, as well as to broaden the list of its possible uses, toward the goal of increased town revenue.

When the town government used Edmond Town Hall, the town paid rental fees to the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers to cover the building’s operational costs, representing a substantial amount of the building’s income.

Zoning regulations currently limit the structure’s use to municipal and nonprofit community uses.

Current uses of the building include the main auditorium, where motion pictures are shown and live performances, including concerts and stage shows, are presented; the Alexandria Room, which is rented out for functions, performances, and various activities; and the gymnasium, which is rented out for athletics and various events.

Other occupants include The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation; The Lathrop School of Dance; The Chamber of Commerce of Newtown; and the Borough of Newtown. The Connecticut Homeschool Hub rents space and The Newtown Visiting Nurse Association operates a thrift shop in Edmond Town Hall. Newtown Youth Wrestling Association plans to hold practice sessions in the gym for the next three years.

Landmark Uses

In its application to convert Edmond Town Hall from residential to landmark zoning, the Land Use Agency proposes permitted uses of office space for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, including municipal, clerical, administrative, and nonpersonal services, as well as professional persons, including some attorneys but excluding medical and dental offices. Other proposed permitted uses are for-profit and nonprofit events including movies, plays, concerts, banquets, sports activities, thrift shops, crafts fairs, and antiques fairs.

Also listed as proposed permitted uses are the rental of the Alexandra Room kitchen to for-profit and nonprofit groups and the sale of alcohol, food, and retail items during events. Dance studios and art studios would be allowed, and retail sales would be allowed as an accessory use of the building.

Uses that would require a special zoning permit would include medical offices and child day care facilities.

Prohibited uses would include office space for criminal defense attorneys, permanent retail shops, and permanent restaurants.

In order for a town-owned building in the borough to be considered for landmark zoning, the Board of Selectmen would need to designate that building as a candidate for such zoning.

Other town-owned buildings in the borough include the Newtown Meeting House at 31 Main Street, Booth Library at 25 Main Street, Town Hall South at 3 Main Street, Newtown Middle School at 11 Queen Street, Hawley School at 29 Church Hill Road, and the former Department of Public Works at 53-A Church Hill Road.