Date: Fri 14-May-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-zone-change-Edmond-Road

Full Text:

P&Z Weighs Zone Change For Edmond Rd Parcel

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering rezoning from

"Industrial" to "Business" a two-acre parcel at the intersection of Church

Hill Road and Edmond Road.

Applicants Melinda Buchanan and Harriett Edwards are requesting a change of

zone from Industrial (M-2) to Business (B-2) for 73 Church Hill Road, a

triangular parcel that lies across Edmond Road from Newtown Shell Service.

Attorney Robert Hall, representing the applicants at a May 6 public hearing,

told P&Z members the parcel has only minimal frontage on Church Hill Road.

One point of the triangular parcel has frontage on Church Hill Road. Most of

the frontage is on Edmond Road, which is a private road.

"The most appropriate zone for this property is a business zone," Mr Hall

said. Developing the parcel poses difficulties due to its unusual shape, he

said. Mr Hall said he knows of no specific planned use for the land if a zone

change is granted.

P&Z member James Boylan said if the property were to be developed for a

business use, the intersection of Church Hill Road and Edmond Road would

require a traffic signal to regulate traffic flow in the heavily traveled

area. The intersection is now regulated by a stop sign on Edmond Road. Making

a left turn from Edmond Road onto eastbound Church Hill Road often results in

long waits for motorists.

Mr Hall agreed that a traffic signal would be necessary if the property is

developed. P&Z member Michael Osborne asked why neither a traffic study nor a

drainage plan had been prepared as part of the application for a change of

zone. Mr Hall reiterated it is clear that a traffic signal would be needed at

the intersection. Installing a traffic signal would be addressed when the

property is developed, he said. Because the parcel is flat, drainage on it

could be easily manipulated, he added.

Mr Hall said although the legal access for the property is approximately 32

feet of road frontage on Church Hill Road, the site would have usable frontage

on Edmond Road.

Resident Faith Gulick of 68 Church Hill Road expressed concerns about traffic

flow to and from of 73 Church Hill Road.

P&Z Chairman Daniel Fogliano said he has difficulty with rezoning a property

without knowing the potential uses for it.

Land uses which would be allowed in a B-2 zone include a public garage,

filling station, car wash, and a variety of retail businesses, provided the

applicant obtains a special exception to the zoning regulations.

If an applicant receives a site plan approval from the P&Z, other allowed uses

are a store, personal services business, bank, office space, business

building, hotel, motel, passenger terminal, auto sales, wholesale business,

storage business, kennel and place of worship.

A section of the two-acre parcel lies in the sewer district. A public water

supply is available.

P&Z members took no action on the requested change of zone. Action is expected

at an upcoming session.