Borough Zoning Commission (BZC) members met on January 9 for discussion on a range of land use topics affecting the borough, the two-square-mile administrative district in the town center.

BZC Chairman Douglas Nelson said January 15 that no zoning applications were pending before the commission on January 9, but many land use subjects were discussed by members.

Mr Nelson said the final certificate of occupancy for the The Village at Lexington Gardens on Church Hill Road has been issued by the town. That document signifies that the multi-building commercial complex has been completed, with all buildings and the grounds meeting town requirements for the project.

In another matter at the January 9 BZC session, commission members discussed a potential redevelopment of the commercial property at 11 Church Hill Road, on the eastern corner of Church Hill Road and Wendover Road.

The 1.15-acre site, which has P-1 (Professional) zoning, holds a two-level building constructed in 1968 which holds professional offices. Mr Nelson said the owner of the property, known as 11 Church Hill Road LLC, wants to expand the roughly 8,000-square-foot structure to approximately 20,000 square feet of enclosed space. Such a project would expand the structure both laterally and vertically, providing space for offices and apartments.

The project is in the initial planning stages, Mr Nelson said.

Dere Street

In another matter, BZC members discussed a proposal from the owner of a commercial building at 33 Main Street to convert an outdoor dining area for Dere Street Restaurant on the southern side of the building into enclosed space for year-round use. The restaurant has used that space, which is covered by a large awning, when weather permits. 

BZC members decided  such work would not require a Main Street Village District (MSVD) zoning application, according to Mr Nelson. However, such a project may be subject to a less complex zoning application for the 33 Main Street property, which is a B-1/2 (Business) zone. 

Such physical changes to 33 Main Street would be subject to review by the Borough of Newtown Historic District Commission for a “certificate of appropriateness,” Mr Nelson said.

Shopping Village

In another borough zoning matter, the firm that owns Newtown Shopping Village at 6 Queen Street, whose prime tenant is the Big Y supermarket, wants to place two shopping cart corrals in the Big Y parking lot to better manage those carts’ use, Mr Nelson said.

Also, BZC members discussed an informal request on behalf of the Dunkin’ Donuts shop at Newtown Shopping Village that it be allowed to have drive-through window service there for its customers, Mr Nelson said.

The CVS Pharmacy adjacent to the Dunkin Donuts shop has such a drive-through window. According to the meeting minutes for the January 9 BZC session, BZC members commented that it would be “problematic” if both businesses were to have drive-through windows.

Mr Nelson said January 15 that the proponents of a borough zoning regulation that would allow drive-through window service at eateries could formally propose such a zoning rule change to the BZC, which would then be subject to formal review at a public hearing and subsequent BZC action.

In other business at the January 9 BZC session, BZC members learned that Art & Frame of Newtown at 77 Main Street has received a temporary certificate of occupancy from the town and is now in business.

The business plans to repave the parking lot there after hot asphalt for paving becomes available in the spring.

The property, which is owned by A&F Gallery LLC, has been modified for use as a gallery/framing shop.

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