P&Z Approves Office Building For South Main Street

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved construction of a new office building at 50 South Main Street, on the west side of the street, just north of the intersection of South Main Street and Country Club Road.

At a January 5 session, P&Z members unanimously approved the development application from 50 South Main Street Associates, LLC. Architect Hugh Sullivan represented the applicant before the P&Z.

An existing small house at that address, which is now used for offices, would be demolished to make way for construction of the 4,500-square-foot office building. The site is adjacent to Newtown Country Club

The new building would be used by Colbert, Lisi & O’Byrne, LLC, a certified public accounting firm that occupies the existing structure on the site. Extra space would be rented out.

 Initial plans for the project are dated August 3, 2005. Based on land use officials’ various comments about the project, the drawings were revised on October 5, November 17, and December 3.

 In unanimously approving the development application, P&Z members required that the building be restricted to only one commercial wall sign per tenant, for a maximum of two such wall signs. A building directory sign will be allowed with certain size restrictions.

Also, the applicant must obtain a required driveway permit for the project from the state Department of Transportation (DOT). South Main Street, also known as Route 25, is a state road.

P&Z members advised the applicant that site development is subject to the town engineer’s approval in terms of stormwater control. Such approval is required before a construction permit is issued.

The P&Z also is requiring that a waste dumpster on the site be located on a concrete pad. The dumpster must be completely enclosed and screened from public view and must remain covered at all times.

After reviewing the development details, P&Z members decided that the various standards and criteria for site development had been met by the applicant, and that the construction design is consistent with the regulations for B-1 (Business) zones.

The approval took effect January 6.