#Middlebury #P&Z #MiddleburyConsignment #Ridgewood
By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE
The Middlebury Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) at its Aug. 3 meeting continued a public hearing for Benson Woods until Sept. 7. It also informally discussed a restaurant expansion at Middlebury Consignment, construction progress at Ridgewood, and a sign for Post University.
Attorney Jennifer Yoxall, of Carmody, Torrance, Sandak and Hennessey told commissioners Middlebury Land Development LLC, developers of Benson Woods, wants Section 64.9 of the zoning regulations amended concerning the renewal period and number of renewals for an excavation and grading permit, and to eliminate the mandatory public hearing for such renewals.
A letter from the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments stated there was minimal local impact from the change, and a letter from Hiram Peck, the consultant currently updating the zoning regulations, suggested the revision be clear about confirming that permit requirements were still being met and reviewing any complaints before waiving the public hearing.
In an informal discussion, professional engineer David Hughes told commissioners Dr. Dean Yimoyines, owner of Middlebury Consignment, was planning to expand the current café-restaurant into the entire second floor of the building, enlarging the kitchen, constructing new bathrooms, and adding a bar and additional seating. Retail sales of furniture would continue on the first and third floors, and the elevator would remain.
“We haven’t determined the number of people or tables,” Hughes told commissioners, “we’re sticking by the regs, which say we need one (parking) space per 45 square feet of patron area.” He said the current hours for retail are from 11 am to 5 p.m., while the cafe is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and that parking is handled by the north lot and a portion of the west lot. After some discussion on which portions of the expanded restaurant should be considered patron area, the commissioners agreed there were no issues with the proposal.
In other matters, Town Engineer John Calabrese said Toll Brothers was planning to begin constructing Phase 3 of its Ridgewood condominium project. He said the developers would eliminate a temporary construction access road and build the planned emergency access road which would then be used as a construction road. Excess fill from the activity would be used to grade the “great lawn” area. Calabrese also said that some bonding would be reduced and other bonding added by the Board of Selectmen as the project moved through the planned phases.
In his enforcement report, Zoning Enforcement Officer Curtis Bosco told commissioners Post University was planning to apply for a special exception to place a large sign on the Drubner Building on Country Club Road.
The next regular P&Z meeting was to be Thursday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center.
