By Susan MacEachron

The Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) held a public hearing on May 10 to discuss the two projects being proposed by the Ellen Battell Stoeckel Trust—to renovate a portion of the Music Shed and to convert the Eldridge Barn for use as student housing. 

Ken Hrica, a civil engineer and owner of Hrica Associates LLC, representing the trust, described the addition to the rear side of the Music Shed, where an existing 1,575-square-foot space will be demolished and replaced by a 4,165-square-foot space to accommodate new restrooms and additional backstage space for performers. He also said the trust is constructing a new concession stand outside the hall which will be a rectangular shed with an overhanging roof replacing the existing stand. 

The second project will convert the Eldridge Barn from practice rooms to student housing. The new configuration will have 11 dormitory-style rooms that could accommodate up to 17 students, since six of the rooms could be doubles. The question of whether there is adequate parking was raised. P&Z concluded there was adequate parking in the trust-owned space behind Battell Chapel. Hrica noted that students are discouraged from bringing cars to Norfolk for the summer. 

First Selectman Matt Riiska said he would like to see an emergency management plan for the new housing facility. Jack Beecher, director of operations for the Battell Stoeckel Trust, said that Yale University will send an environmental health and safety expert to examine the facility before the Norfolk fire marshal inspects the property. In a subsequent conversation, Beecher said that Yale will send safety experts to inspect the facility every year. P&Z approved the plans.

P&Z returned to the matter of the proposed solar farm on land surrounding the town’s transfer station, which had been described at the previous meeting. P&Z determined that the solar array would be the best possible use for the land in question. Riiska said the next step in the process would be a vote at a town meeting. He anticipates convening the meeting in June.

Under new business, P&Z discussed the removal of two trees in front of the Berkshire Country store. The plan was to eliminate the grass peninsulas where the trees were planted to create two additional parking spaces. The peninsulas were created to slow traffic moving through town and were one of the recommendations from a town charrette in 1994. P&Z commissioners unanimously agreed that changes to the downtown streetscape design should have been presented for their approval prior to taking any action. 

In addition, under state statutes governing trees, unless a tree presents an immediate public hazard, the tree warden must post a suitable notice on the tree declaring the intention to remove such tree at least 10 days before removal. Matt Klimkosky, Norfolk’s tree warden, was unaware of the plan to remove the trees. Therefore, a notice was not posted.

In a follow-up conversation Riiska said Berkshire Country store manager Ryan Craig had lobbied the town to remove the trees, which Craig confirmed. Riiska said the idea has been discussed for several years. Riiska mentioned that the tree roots had created a problem with the sewer line several years ago. Norfolk Sewer District plant superintendent Bill Hester said the major project underway to install bladder inserts in the sewer pipes will help to mitigate the system-wide issue with tree roots. 

Riiska has reconsidered the plan to remove the peninsulas and will instead plant new trees. The town is replacing the sidewalks in front of the Berkshire Country store soon, and while undertaking that work, the tree stumps and roots will be removed. Riiska has asked Bob Gilchrest, landscape architect and the City Meadow project manager, to purchase two additional honey locust trees as part of his purchase of trees for City Meadow. The town will cover the cost of the new trees. Riiska noted the new trees will have a higher canopy that will provide more sunlight to the store. In a follow-up conversation Gilchrest confirmed that the honey locust is better suited to the location and will be in keeping with new plantings across the street.