By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE
The Middlebury Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) at its May 5 meeting unanimously approved a site plan and an excavation and grading permit for a funeral home and crematory planned for 300 Benson Road. Attorney Michael McVerry, representing Raymond and Panagiota (Penny) Albini, reminded commissioners that Section 42.4.5 of the zoning regulations had been amended in November 2015 to allow crematoriums as a permitted use in the LI-200 district.
The new building, approved at 10,000 square feet with 2,000 of that reserved for expansion, has two car ports, two parlors, administrative offices, bathrooms, a crematorium, and an indoor storage facility for urns (columbarium). McVerry showed letters and approvals from the fire marshal, fire chief, police department, Water Pollution Control Authority, Conservation Commission (CC), Economic and Industrial Development Commission, and Torrington Health District. McVerry said the original site plan had been reworked at the request of the CC to preserve a large white oak tree and a large apple tree on the property.
Land for the new building fronts on Benson Road and has about 10 usable acres out of 33.16 total acres. The Albini family purchased it from the Town of Middlebury in June 2015 for $200,000. The town had acquired it from Baker Residential in June 2014 in lieu of $75,925.07 taxes owed. The Albinis own the Albini Funeral Home in Waterbury and intend to operate the Middlebury facility as an annex.
The cedar shake and stone building was designed by CK Associates of Waterbury, and construction will be managed by Joseph L. Calabrese P.C., also of Waterbury. Penny Albini said two copper-topped cupolas will follow the theme of the cupola on the Middlebury Historical Society building.
The next regular P&Z meeting will be Thursday, June 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center.
