NORWICH – A proposed zoning change on Birdsall Street was unanimously denied at Tuesday night’s Common Council meeting for reasons the council said are best for area residents and best in the long term interest of the city.
The original request for a zoning change was made last January by George Blood, owner of Tansey’s Auto Supply on 13 Birdsall St. It was Blood’s intent to open an auto repair garage that would border his store, but his request was opposed by neighboring residents who petitioned against the garage to keep the zone a residential (R3) instead of changing to commercial (B1). The council first heard the concerns of area residents at a public hearing in March.
Speaking at last night’s public hearing, Blood told the council, “What I have to say has already been presented.”
Margie McMullen, whose Griffin Street home borders Tansey’s Auto, said an increase in noise, traffic and pollutants would add to the depreciation of properties adjacent to the proposed auto repair business. “What was once an ideal neighborhood is now in decay,” she told the council, adding that a zoning change also opens floodgates for additional businesses to take advantage. “Explain to me how is this good,” she said.
Neighboring homeowners Ken Hine and Theresa Hillier-Hine of 15 Birdsall St. initiated the petition against the zoning change last year and restated some of their original arguments again last night. An auto repair garage next to their home would be unsafe, they said, and a zoning change to suit the demands of one business owner is unfair to neighboring homeowners and “unconstitutional.”
Hillier-Hine said a repair garage in such a confined space would have a detrimental impact on residents’ health and the environment. “This is the reason we have zoning laws – to protect people living in their homes,” she said.
“I find it disturbing to think that the city would allow a business this hazardous this close to anyone’s home,” added Hine. He went on to say that the site is just too small for a garage and wouldn’t meet the city’s fire and safety codes.
When open to discussion among council members, Ward One Alderman Bob Carey shared that he saw the proposed ordinance as spot-zoning and that a zoning change is not a long term plan for the city at the request of one property owner.
“If no one objected, I might feel differently,” added Ward Two Alderman Berry Bresina. “Every property owner should feel confident that the city will protect them.”
Third Ward Alderman John Deierlein also commented: “It’s just not right,” he said, referring to the risks of changing the zone to accommodate one business. “You made a very good point,” he told Hine. “Where does it stop?”
According to Bresina, who made additional comments after the meeting, “zoning is essentially a covenant ... I’m pleased that the vote was unanimous.”
Hine also commented on the decision. “We wanted to wish Mr. Blood the absolute best in his business and that we will go out of our way to guide people to his auto parts store; just because we don’t want an auto repair garage next door doesn’t mean we don’t care about him and wish him the very best at all times.”