Parking is the crux of the matter, most of the Zoning Board agreed, as they closed in on a decision on an application to repurpose the Sacred Heart Church into a multi-use community building.
“This whole issue revolves around parking, in my view,” said ZBA Co-vice Chair Andy Hoar.
The Rev. Robin Lunn presented additional information during a continuation of the Zoning Board hearing on her application for multiple variances and a special exception to turn the Sacred Heart parish into a duplex, and the church into a nonprofit cafe, shared community office space and event hall. Based on the board’s concerns aired during the initial hearing, Lunn presented scaled back operating hours and a more defined size for the building’s sign, satisfying the majority of the board on these points. But parking remained a sticky issue.
Lunn agreed to scale back hours of operation after hearing concerns from the board that the original 11 p.m. end time on Fridays and Saturdays was too late for a residential neighborhood. Her updated proposal adjusted proposed hours to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on most weekdays, and until 9 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, which the board found much more palatable.
Lunn also clarified the size of the sign – eight feet tall on a one foot square.
Satisfied with these adjustments, the board was unable to come to a firm decision on how to resolve the parking crunch on the lot – which allows for 14-16 spaces, unless the Planning Board allows “stacked” parking, where cars park front to back without an exit which would allow for an additional 12 spaces. Either way, there are not enough spots to meet the 36-space requirement for the lot’s various uses.
Co-Chair Carol Roberts said she could not justify what she said was an “overuse” of the space and its impacts on the neighborhood.
“I wish I could feel better about it, because I think it’s a great idea and I can see a need for it,” said Roberts.
Member Joanne Meshna countered that even 14 spaces is better than what is currently on the site, and that any reasonable use of the church was going to exceed what parking is available on the half-acre lot.
Several residents of Maple Street or the surrounding area expressed support of the project.
“I can’t think of a better outcome for this property,” said Alison Meltzer, a resident of Maple Street and also a member of the Wilton Community Center and Main Street Association. She said she was not concerned about parking overflowing onto the street. “If you live on Maple, you expect people are going to park in front of your house. It’s not a big deal,” she said.
Tracy Ewing, who lives on nearby Park Street, also said she was excited for the possibility of a cafe and community space.
“Yay. Thumbs up,” she said, adding that she would hate to see the historic church building deteriorate in place.
Zoning Chair Neil Faiman reiterated that point, saying that while there was no proof that the addition of a multi-use building would deteriorate property values – and that indeed, most neighbors were enthusiastic about the prospect – that if the church continued to remain empty that it was his opinion that would deteriorate values.
The board tossed back and forth several parking proposals – including specifying a certain number of cars that could access street parking or requiring contracted spots in an off-site location.
Unable to come to a decision, the board agreed to continue their deliberation until next week, on a day to be announced.