By: Maria Moore
After many years’ hiatus, the town’s Architectural Review Committee has been reappointed and will most likely be taking an active role in the town’s future commercial development.
The appointments were made by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their meeting this past Thursday, December 8. All the original members of the Architectural Review Committee were reappointed. They are:
- David Sessions (3-year term);
- Ken Kimmerle (2-year term);
- Frank Misiorski (2-year term);
- Bill Bohan (1-year alternate);
- Gordon Ross (2-year alternate).
Also appointed to the Committee are Marty Connor, the town’s consulting Planner (1-year term) and Roger Hurlburt, the consulting Engineer (1-year term).
The Architectural Review Committee’s First Task: Drive-Thru Restaurant at Former Waring?
It has been many years since the Architectural Review Committee met, and it may have met to review only one case: that of the original rehab of the former Waring building in which Collinsville Antiques is located on Route 44 in Pine Meadow.
The reappointed Committee members may find that their first task may also be a project at the former Waring building: a drive-through fast-food restaurant, that is a Dunkin’ Donuts. Blackhammer, LLC, the owner of the former Waring building has applied for a Special Exception for the Dunkin’ Donuts to be located in their building. A public hearing has been scheduled for January 12 for that Special Exception. Architectural plans for the project have yet to be submitted to the Land Use Office, interim Zoning Officer Rista Malanca said today; however, if and when the plans are received, they will be reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee.
The New Zoning Regulations, The Architectural Review Committee And The Future Look of New Hartford
The Architectural Review Committee and setting standards for the Committee to apply is being spearheaded by the Economic Development Committee. For an update on this topic see our January 24 report Architectural Design Review Standards, Economic Development, Goals Discussed At EDC Meeting.
The former Waring building in Pine Meadow is home to an antiques store, a storage facility and perhaps soon, a Dunkin Donuts. Photo from NewHartfordPlus archives
