Old Lyme - A Zoning Commission public hearing on a proposal from Vitality Spa on Lyme Street to expand its services to include an institute for wellness programs and classes has been continued until January.

Lindsay Eisensmith, the owner and director of the spa at 14 Lyme St., told the commission at Monday's public hearing, which was continued from last month, that the proposal is to operate a "classroom" in a 530-square-foot building next door to the facility. The classes on topics such as stress management and yoga will be a "reasonable extension" of activities the spa conducts, she said.

Eisensmith, who said she has letters from supporters, said each class would contain a maximum of about 8 to 10 people, and there is sufficient parking in the neighborhood to accommodate the additional customers. She said her application classifies the expanded services as a "school," which follows the model of a yoga studio recently approved for Lyme Street.

In her application to the commission, she outlined the center's plans to partner with the Lymes' Youth Service Bureau on wellness programs for students, offer continuing education courses for bodywork professionals and bring speakers and trainers to town for events. The proposal raised concerns from some neighbors who said parking and vehicle traffic in the residential area already pose challenges.

Campbell Hudson, a lawyer representing several neighbors on nearby Academy Lane, told the commission the application would require additional onsite parking and only a couple of spaces on Academy Lane currently qualify. He said the proposal qualified as significantly changing the use of the business.

''They want to expand in a way that is dramatically going to change the neighborhood,'' he said

Lyme Street, the town's main street, home to Town Hall, schools, houses, museums, inns and small shops, is a residential zone with grandfathered commercial properties, that are viewed as "non-conforming" and must adhere to their original uses.

Last year, Lyme Street's regulations sparked a debate among residents after the Chocolate Shell, a nearby candy store, expanded its services and offerings, including the addition of a coffee machine and additional tables and chairs, and was issued a "cease and desist" order that the Zoning Board of Appeals ultimately upheld.

Monday's meeting also concerned technical aspects on how Eisensmith should apply for the expansion of services. The commission meeting will be continued next month to allow time for Eisensmith to address an issue of allowable occupancy with the fire marshal.

She and her lawyer said they would like to review the limits set forth, because earlier conversations indicated the allowed capacity could be greater.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich