South Main Street Zone Change Sought For Business Expansion

By Andrew Gorosko

The owners of three residentially zoned properties on South Main Street are proposing that their real estate receive a change of zone from R-1 (Residential) to B-1 (Business) to expand the business development potential of their holdings.

The affected properties are at 176, 180, and 182 South Main Street. The properties are on the west side of South Main Street, just south of its intersection with Orchard Hill Road and Huntingtown Road.

The formal applicants for the change of zone are Thomas and Carrie Swan, the owners of The Black Swan Stove Shop and The Black Swan Hearth & Gift Shop at 182 South Main Street, which is the southernmost of the three affected properties. The Black Swan sells stoves, fireplaces, grills, accessories, and spare parts, plus decorative items.

The property at 176 South Main Street, which is owned by Denise Douglas, holds a house.

The property at 180 South Main Street, which is owned by Vincent Condon, holds a business known as A Sign Depot.

Overall, the three properties comprise 3.6 acres. The land lies in the town’s Aquifer Protection District (APD).

There are 45 properties lying within 500 feet of the area proposed for the change of zone. The owners of those properties received official notification by mail of a February 3 Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) public hearing on the requested change of zone.

Attorney Camille DeGalan represented the Swans at the session. All three property owners endorse having their properties’ zoning designation changed from R-1 to B-1, Ms DeGalan said.

In a letter, Ms Douglas of 176 South Main Street, stated that she favors a change of zone, provided that all three properties receive such a change of zone.

Although there are business uses on two of the three properties, they are nonconforming uses under the provisions of the zoning regulations. Expanding the commercial uses of the land would require a change of zone.

Ms DeGalan told P&Z members that the Swans are seeking the change of zone to allow them to expand their successful business at 182 South Main Street. A change of zone would be consistent with the town’s 2004 Town Plan of Conservation and Development, Ms DeGalan said, noting that the town plan’s “future land use map” depicts the area as “commercial.”

If a change of zone is granted, the Swans would then seek P&Z approvals to expand their business on their property, Ms DeGalan said.

An Immediate Need

In view of the P&Z’s plans to include that section of South Main Street in its envisioned South Main Street Design District (SMSDD) zone, P&Z Chairman William O’Neil asked whether the Swans could postpone their pursuit of a change of zone until late this year, when the P&Z expects to have such SMSDD zoning in place.

The P&Z currently has commercial design district zoning in two areas: Sandy Hook Center and Hawleyville Center. The Sandy Hook Design District (SHDD) zoning regulations and the Hawleyville Center Design District-East (HCDD-E) zoning regulations contain guidelines listing the P&Z’s preferred forms of architecture and landscape architecture for commercial growth those respective areas.

When it is eventually approved, a commercial design district for South Main Street would also have such architectural and landscaping guidelines to which the Swan property would ostensibly be subject.

Ms DeGalan told P&Z members that the Swans want to expand their business as soon as possible.

Mr Swan told P&Z members that The Black Swan has grown to be a successful business, which needs to expand to better serve its customers. Success has resulted in crowded facilities, he said. “We have found a great [business] niche on the Internet … I simply need more space.”

Mr Swan said he wants to construct a larger, attractive new building on his property to replace existing facilities. He said he would construct a new building at the rear of property and then demolish the existing structure, which stands near South Main Street.

Neighboring Property Owner

One nearby property owner spoke at the public hearing, raising concerns about the impact of an expanded Black Swan Stove Shop on his Huntingtown Road property.

Robert Hall, who owns a house and land at 8 Huntingtown Road, told P&Z members he fears that an expanded Black Swan would damage his enjoyment of his property.

The outdoor illumination to be used at an expanded Black Swan would result in excess light reaching his property in the nighttime, known as “light pollution,” Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall said he wants to see The Black Swan’s needs accommodated, without it adversely affecting him.

Ms DeGalan responded that there is much visual screening lying between the Black Swan property and the Hall house.

Mr Swan said that he would create a berm on his property and plant evergreen trees, if needed, to create a lighting barrier between the properties.

P&Z action on the Swans’ requested change of zone is expected at an upcoming session.