The Planning and Zoning Commission has instructed its attorney to craft a resolution to approve with conditions the Manor House’s application for modification of its special permit.
The commission will continue its deliberations about the application at its May 13 meeting.
The Manor House, first approved for operation as a country inn in 1996, is seeking a modification of its special use permit to allow additional amenities, including a recreational building at the rear of the inn and enhanced meal service. The proposal for the five-acre property, located in a residential area, has prompted considerable public interest and resulted in more than nine hours of public hearing testimony.
Last Tuesday night, P&Z members sat down to consider the merits of the proposal. One member opposed the application because, in his interpretation, it goes beyond the zoning regulations’ definition of a country inn and “is out of scale” for the neighborhood. Other members of the commission found the application acceptable with the stipulations already made by the applicant, or said they could support it with additional conditions.
Several points need to be discussed further before the commissioners reach a decision, including the position of the new storage garage and the total number of guests to be allowed on the property at any one time.
The May 13 meeting will be hybrid with the commission meeting in person at Town Hall. Residents who are unable to be there can watch the deliberations via Zoom if they choose. The agenda and Zoom link will be posted on the town website.