Oct 31, 2007
Canine Fence Co. seeking to save historic Wilton barn for office use
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The Canine Fence Co. at 493 Danbury Road is seeking to save a historic barn from demolition by moving the barn from a location on Cannon Road to the firm’s property.
The firm presented an application Monday night to the Planning and Zoning Commission that would connect the barn, which was part of a farm dating back to before 1800, to an existing building. The barn would then be used for office space, according to Robert Sanders, architect for the project.
The barn is being moved because it threatens to fall onto Cannon Road since it is in such disrepair and must therefore be either moved or demolished. It is located near the intersection of Pimpewaug Road and Cannon Road.
Mr. Sanders said moving the barn would involve no setback, site coverage or building coverage variances. The barn would be used as office space under the town’s adaptive use regulations, which allow for historic buildings to be adapted for commercial use with a limited ability to expand the building.
“I want to commend Rob for actually improving the functionality and appearance” of the property, said Commissioner Marilyn Gould. She said she had been familiar with the property since 1983.
Mr. Sanders said the proposed lighting at the barn was “quite modest,” and while Commissioner John Wilson said he liked the proposed lanterns on the site, he wondered if there was “any reason they should be exempt from the filament restriction.”
Mr. Sanders said the expected 100 watts of the lanterns wouldn’t allow light to escape from the site.
“To make that impossible to do is just running counter to what we’re trying to do,” said Commissioner Barbara Frees in support of permitting the lanterns. Ms. Frees said regulation changes might be necessary if lanterns, which would possibly contribute to the historic character of the barn, were not allowed.
“I applaud the idea of amending the regulations to make something like this possible on the site,” said Mr. Wilson. He said the hearing on the application should possibly be left open to determine if the lanterns were in compliance.
However, Town Planner Robert Nerney said if the commission felt the lanterns were appropriate, they could move forward, and Mr. Wilson said he was satisfied.
The commission approved the project at their Oct. 22 meeting.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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