TIGHTER RULES CONSIDERED ON VILLAGE

The Planning and Zoning Commission wants to shore up first-floor business regulations in the village after an application to turn the former Tigers’ Den storefront on Catoonah Street into five apartments drew concern that residential housing could encroach on first-floor retail space.

The proposed amendment to the town zoning regulations would ban residential housing from the first floor and basement of commercial buildings in the Central Business District, which runs from the intersection of Grove Street and Sunset Lane to the intersection of Governor and Main Street.

Planning and Zoning Director Richard Baldelli recommended the commission include basements because some buildings have a ground-floor entrance at he first floor and basement.

The change comes after the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a plan to convert the former Tigers’ Den building at 23½ Catoonah into five apartments and one ground-floor office.

A public hearing on the proposed change is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 22.