NORWICH – Eleven months after an initial request for a zoning change was made by George Blood, owner of Tansey’s Auto Supply on Birdsall Street, the Common Council moved to receive an ordinance proposal last week that would affect the business and the few residences surrounding it.
Blood requested the zone change in January in hopes of adding two auto repair bays on the store’s property; however, he was met by opposition from some of the surrounding residents who petitioned against the change and rejected Blood’s proposal of an auto repair shop, claiming the possibility of increased taxes for the area, traffic, noise and the limited space for all of it. The zoning change would transpose six properties between East Main and Griffin Street – including Tansey’s Automotive Supply shop – from a residential (R3) to a commercial (B1) area.
A public hearing regarding the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 17.
“If you look at zoning maps, the entire surrounding area is designated for businesses, except for that one little spot,” said City Mayor Joseph Maiurano. “We care about the people that live there ... I can see where some people would have concerns and we’re trying to make it as less intrusive as possible,” he said, “but a zoning change would give more flexibility in an area that has been about business from day one.”
According to Blood, few neighbors actually have a problem with the zoning change and many have written letters in support of Blood’s request for a zoning change, disregarding the initial petition they signed earlier in the year which had been carried out by one of Blood’s adjacent neighbors. “Most of them didn’t know what the petition was,” Blood said. “One person even told me he only signed to get him to go away.”
“I don’t know as if it makes much a difference,” said Blood regarding the pending zoning change. “I would very much like to see this pass.”
The area had been a business zone in the past, according to Maiurano but was changed to a residential area several years ago. “We’re just looking at possibly changing it back,” he said, adding that it would be good for the city to be able to utilize space adjacent to and out back of Tansey’s Auto Supply and remove some of the commercial restrictions applicable to the area.
“The council is going to look at it and examine the pros and the cons,” Maiurano said. “I’m sure that whatever they decide will be in the best interest of the city.”