By Susan MacEachron

At the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) meeting on Sept. 12 Joseph Hurst, representing the Norfolk Foundation, described the plan for the space in the Royal Arcanum building previously occupied by the Healing Nest and briefly by Dawnie’s Delights.  Hurst said the foundation would like to offer the space for a variety of pop-up businesses and groups.

Hurst noted that the foundation is hoping to find a long-term tenant for the store, but in the meantime it has decided to make the space available for short-term use.  He described a range of potential activities and noted that the foundation would not charge rent for the short-term use. The potential pop-up activities Hurst outlined included sales, trunk shows, art gallery or exhibitions, education space and gaming conventions.

The wide range of businesses struck P&Z members as difficult to square with the general uses permitted with a site plan application.  After discussion, P&Z approved allowing the use of the space for a variety of short-term pop-up retail or other installations, provided the use is in accordance with the general business uses listed in the Town of Norfolk regulations. In addition, P&Z required that a member of the foundation confer with the Zoning Enforcement Officer in advance of each proposed new use.