Zoners prepare for change if liquor vote passes

Written by Justin Reynolds
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 12:43

It remains to be seen whether voters will decide to allow package stores in Wilton in Tuesday’s vote, but just in case they do, the Planning and Zoning Commission wants to be ready.

Commissioner Michael Rudolph told fellow zoners that he and other members of the regulation committee “took no position” when discussing amendments to zoning regulations that would pertain to the location of retail package stores selling alcoholic beverages.

Mr. Rudolph wondered if the commission should insert language controlling the size of a potential package store, saying it would “be discriminatory to mess with the size of a package store” while not enforcing such regulations on other kinds of stores.

Commissioner Dona Pratt wondered if language should be inserted into the regulations requiring a 500-foot buffer between package stores and places such as the ABC student house on Cannon Road.

Commissioner Bas Nabulsi said that since the newer ABC house opened next to the library, creating a buffer for those facilities might severely limit the space where package stores could potentially go.

“I would be concerned if we tried to add to our safe harbor the ABC facilities,” Mr. Nabulsi said.

Ms. Pratt said perhaps the commission could consider a smaller number than 500 feet.

“I think it’s inappropriate to have a residential youth facility next to a package store,” she said.

Commissioners also tried to fine-tune their definition of “a package store.” Commissioner John Wilson suggested the language permit package stores to sell “alcohol and permitted ancillary accessories.”

Sally Poundstone, commission chair, said the zoners would continue the discussion at its Nov. 9 meeting.

Town Planner Robert Nerney said that the particular package store regulation being voted on — there are about 65 different kinds of permits in the state — wouldn’t allow Stop & Shop, for example, to sell beer. It could, however, open a store in a similar fashion to Ancona’s, located in Ridgefield. Package stores need to be “all-enclosed.”

Mr. Nerney said that if the measure is passed on Tuesday, it would become effective on Monday, Dec. 7.

“We would be required to keep the public hearing [on the package store regulation] open until Nov. 23,” he said.