Zone change for beer garden falls flat with neighbors
Brewing concerns over a proposed zone change that could could pave the way for an expansion of The Hops Co., a popular beer garden on Sodom Lane in Derby, brought neighbors out in force to a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting this week.
The commission on Tuesday took no action on the zone change request, and continued a public hearing on it until Oct. 2.
Neighbors from some of the streets near THC, including Albert Avenue, Harold Avenue and Marshall Lane, packed the meeting at City Hall to express concerns over the zone change proposal and to what it eventually could lead.
THC has proposed a
zone change for the property at 77 Sodom Lane in hopes of creating a Derby Development District, similar to a Planned Development District, or PDD. While there has been no application submitted yet for site plan improvements, THC wants to expand one of the buildings on the property, remove several smaller existing buildings, make site improvements and create additional parking in the upper and lower parking lots.
Local attorney Dominick Thomas, representing THC, appeared before the commission Tuesday and said the new zone change would give the commission more discretion in decisions on what happens on the site. Because the property is zoned residential with a pre-existing non-conforming use, it presently does not allow for expansion, officials said.
Neighbors, however, even before a zone change comes up for a vote, told the commission that both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area is problematic, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Many said it’s only a matter of
time before a patron gets hit by a car while walking back to their vehicle, up Marshall Lane to access THC’s upper parking lot.
“Sooner or later it’s going to be a kid who’s going to be hit by a car,” said Steve Ponzillo of nearby Belleview Drive. “With Big Y coming, the traffic is only going to double and triple in the area.”
Big Y supermarket is slated to open in a shopping plaza across the street from The Hops Co.
Sunset Drive resident Tom Lionetti told the commission he’s not sure why they’re even going through the motions and letting the public weigh in on the proposed zone change, because he believes the zone change and impending expansion to THC are a done deal.
“Just like Marshall Lane (Manor), the zone change will get approved and THC will get their expansion. ... Lots of people came out in force for Marshall Lane and the public was ignored,” Lionetti said. “You don’t listen to the people, you do what you want.”
Lionetti was referring to the dormitory that has since moved into the former Marshall Lane Manor nursing home, occupied by foreign exchange students.
Commission Chairman Ted Estwan took exception to Lionetti’s comments, and said the commission is doing its due diligence with the proposed zone change, adding “there are no done deals behind closed doors.”
Resident Karen Kemmesies said neighbors have been dealing with headaches from the increased traffic and noise from THC, and is concerned the commission isn’t looking out for the best interest of its residents, by allowing more businesses to creep closer into residential zones.
Other neighbors said the area needs more lighting, more parking enforcement and more control over noise levels.
Neighbors have already enlisted attorney Charles Willinger to help them get their message across that they’re opposed to THC’s future plans. Willinger said during Tuesday’s meeting that neighbors have valid concerns, and he and Thomas have been discussing the situation in hopes of a reaching a compromise to keep all parties happy.
“We hope we can resolve our differences within the next week or two,” Willinger said.
jean.sos@snet.net