Zoning change sought to spur Pawcatuck River mill property development
Stonington — In an effort to spur the revitalization of mill buildings along the Pawcatuck River, the Planning and Zoning Commission is seeking to change the manufacturing zone designation of 11 properties.
The proposed change not only reflects a recommendation in the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development but the effort of the town’s Economic Development Commission over the past several years to allow more uses, such as microbreweries, thereby attracting investment in the properties, some of which are vacant and dilapidated.
According to the commission’s proposal, eight properties on Prospect, Palmer and Mechanic streets would be changed to the downtown business designation, while those at 82, 100 and 150 Mechanic St. would become part of the proposed new Heritage Mill District.
An April 4 public hearing has been scheduled for the changes.
The downtown business zone permits a wide variety of retail, commercial and residential uses. The new Heritage Mill District greatly would expand the traditional manufacturing uses now allowed in the manufacturing zone to a long list of commercial, retail and service uses.
It also would streamline the application process, with planning staff being allowed to approve some uses while others would need a special use permit from the commission. The special use permit process also requires a public hearing.
Uses in the Heritage Mill District that only will require a zoning permit issued by town planning staff include professional, medical or corporate offices; assembly, fabrication and compounding; research and development; processing of agricultural products; municipal facilities, public utilities and health clubs.
Others include medical clinics, retail and wholesale sales, personal services, storage facilities, light and advanced manufacturing, financial institutions, microbreweries and brew pubs, family entertainment centers or similar indoor commercial, recreation or entertainment operations.
Uses that would require a special use permit include restaurants (no drive-thrus), hotels or motels, schools, day care centers, hospitals and clinics, agricultural and aquaculture activities, boat sales, exterior bulk storage and use of any portion of the property for residential use, as well as elderly housing, congregate living facilities and convalescent homes.
Special permits also would be needed for construction of new buildings or additions, expansion or construction of off-street parking, banners and special wall signs.
The commission also would need to approve a site plan for changes to off-street parking configurations, landscaping and or signage. It also could establish setback and landscaping requirements to buffer adjacent residential properties from the new uses.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
