By Susan MacEachron

The application by the owners of the Manor House to build a day spa generated a significant number of letters and emails to the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z). P&Z decided that the Feb. 11 continuation of the public hearing would be limited to reading all such correspondence into the record with no oral testimony or comment permitted.

On Feb. 11, P&Z commissioners met at 69 Maple Ave. for an afternoon site visit. Bob Gilchrest of Allied Engineering Associates, the lead designer for the project, presented renderings and identified locations for the various amenities being planned. Zoning Enforcement Officer Stacey Sefcik instructed members of the public who attended that only P&Z commissioners were permitted to ask questions.

The evening P&Z meeting was held at the Botelle School Hall of Flags. In contrast to the full house at the January P&Z public hearing, Town Hall could have easily accommodated the sparse crowd.

At the start of the meeting, P&Z member Jordan Stern made a motion to forego reading the letters. He said it was “an archaic practice and a waste of commissioners’ time.” Stern said that in addition to hard copies, which could be available in Town Hall and at the library, he would undertake to create an easily accessible online file.

Other P&Z members noted that the public had been informed that the letters would be read at this meeting, and while a change could be considered for future meetings it would not be appropriate to change course without prior notice. With one member absent, the vote was a three-to-three tie. Consequently, the motion failed.

P&Z Chair Chris Schaut read letters for close to two hours, over 60 in total. The letters reflected a split with about 60 percent in favor and 40 percent opposed. Several writers supportive of the proposed day spa activities expressed concern about the significant amount of new parking and lighting mandated by zoning regulations.

Letters from Maple Avenue neighbors and others expressed concern that activities appropriate for a commercial zone would have a significant negative impact when situated in a residential zone. The letters in favor focused on the importance of supporting a local business with the hope that it would bring additional people to town, benefiting other businesses and enhancing the overall vitality of Norfolk. The public will be allowed to comment when the meeting continues on March 11.