Hearing closed on Mansfield zoning regulation revisions

The planning and zoning commission closed a public hearing Monday on pro­posed zoning regulation changes, but it will wait on making on deci­sion until seeing further revisions. The PZC tabled a decision after closing the hearing, with Town Planning Director Gregory Padick saying he would have some revi­sions for the commission at its Feb. 22 meeting.

He said the revisions were based on recommendations from Town Attorney Denis O’Brien, who wrote in a legal opinion the PZC should make some “cosmetic changes” that would not change the effect of the proposal.

But Padick said he wanted to give the PZC some time to see the changes in the full context of the proposed regulations and sug­gested the commission wait until March 7 for a vote.

He also said the PZC should make sure the changes did not alter the document enough to require another public hearing.

The commission received no comments during Monday’s pub­lic hearing, but Padick said the changes would “re-prioritize” the town’s zoning regulations.

He said some of the changes would take key points in the cur­rent document and place them “right at the beginning of the ( reg­ulations).”

He added a town’s zoning regu­lations are intended to be a policy statement and the PZC is respon­sible for enforcing the policies.

“If you meet the (regulations), you should be approved,” Padick said.

One major change would allow for more input from the PZC and other land-use boards before an application for a subdivision is formally submitted.

Padick said the request for more input during the pre-application process came about because some land-use officials felt the current process led to too many conditions and map changes being included in board decisions.

He said the new process would allow for concerns among land-use boards to surface before a formal application, when the applicant can make changes more easily.

“It is our hope that this will lead to a much smoother application process,” he said.

Padick said town staff has been working with the regulatory review commission for “eight or nine months” on the revisions, during which time everyone went through the “entire set of regulations.”

The PZC did not receive any comments from the public Monday and PZC Chairman Rudy Favretti recommended commission mem­bers save their comments for the Feb. 22 meeting.

Posted 2-10-2011

Lots of activities this weekend to combat cabin fever

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12

SWEETHEART CHOCOLATE SALE
A chocolate sale for “sweethearts” is slated from 8 a.m. to noon at the Federated Church Fellowship Hall, Route 6, Brooklyn. In addition, breakfast will be served consisting of Lee’s southern-style biscuit sand­wiches and coffee.

ANNUAL BOOK SALE – SCOTLAND
The Scotland Public Library, 21 Brook Road, Scotland, will host its annual book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gently used books, CDs, videos, and more. Info: (860) 423-1492

COLUMBIA, WINTER BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Saxton B. Little Free Library will hold a used book sale to raise funds for the library. Sale is on Saturday, Feb. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is open and free to all. Sale continues Sunday, Feb. 13, which is a special discount day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All books are 50 percent off. Location: Chapel on the Green, Route 87, Columbia (next to the library). Info: (860) 228-0350.

PRESERVING FAMILY HEIRLOOMS WORKSHOPS
Lebanon Historical Society Museum, 856 Trumbull Highway, Lebanon, will host a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on ways to properly clean, protect and store metal artifacts. Participants may bring one item for specific care advice. Fee is $2 for members and $4 for non-members. Registration required. Info: (860) 642-6579.

WILLIMANTIC CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
The Willimantic Chocolate Festival will cover Main Street in Willimantic from 11 a. m. to 3 p. m. More than 30 businesses will open their doors and invite families to sample all types of chocolate goodies, menu specials and activities for the public. For more information, log on to www.windhamwillimanticvisitorscenter.com or www.romanticwil­limantic.org.

ANNUAL WINTER FUN DAY
The Mansfield Downtown Partnership, the Mansfield Community Center and the Town of Mansfield invite area residents to celebrate the season at the fifth annual Winter Fun Day. This event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside of the Mansfield Community Center. Free and open to the public. Info: (860) 429-2740 or www.mansfieldct.gov. The inclement weather date is Saturday, Feb. 19.

CONCERT-A-THON GRANDIOSO
Lyman Memorial High School Auditorium, 917 Exeter Road (Route 207), Lebanon, will host a musical concert from noon to 5 p.m., (snow date is March 5). The profits gained from this event will be used to defray the cost of a music department field trip to New York City in March. Tickets $5 at the door.

E.O. SMITH DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS HAIRSPRAY
The E.O. Smith High School drama club will perform “Hairspray” in the E.O. Smith Auditorium, Route 195, Storrs, Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $7 for students and seniors, $9 for the general public. Info: (860) 429-3437.

HOW DO I LOVE THE EARTH?
Elantastic Solutions, 956 Main St., Willimantic, (next to Cafémantic) will host an arts program asking participants “How do I love the Earth?” The event is from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Show and tell about or read creative work of your own in the visual arts, poems, stories, photos, small inven­tions, songs, quilts and creations of all sorts.

ROAST TURKEY DINNER
The First Congregational Church of Coventry Fellowship Hall, 1171 Main St., Coventry, will host a roast turkey dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. $8 adults, $7 seniors and $4 children ages 6-12 and free for children under 6. Take-out orders available. (860) 742-8487 or log on to www.firstchurchcoventry.org.

SPAGHETTI SUPPER
Willington Seniors will host a spaghetti supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $8/person, children under 12 are $5. Call the senior center for reserva­tions at (860) 429-8321 or pick up tickets in person prior to the supper.

LINCOLN DAY DINNER
A Lincoln’s Birthday Dinner, sponsored by Coventry Republican Town Committee, Ackert Hall, 1265 Main St., Coventry, is scheduled for 6 p.m. One of the guest speakers is slated to be Linda McMahon. Cost is $40 person in advance or $50 at the door. Information/tickets: Joan Oros (860) 742-9077 or orosjoanmary@snet.net; and Jeff Shorts at (860) 742-2203 or jassmiley@aol.com.

VALENTINES DINNER/DANCE
Coventry Knights of Columbus, 138 Snake Hill Road, Coventry, will host a Valentine’s Dinner Dance at 6 p.m. with dancing starting at 7 p.m. Cost is $15 for each event or $27 both. Tickets available by calling Jack Lacek (860) 742-7017 or Mike Whitham (860) 742-3217.

CHOCOLATE LOVERS’ SOIRÉE AND CABARET
The annual “Chocolate Lovers Soiree and Cabaret” will take place at the Capitol Theater, 896 Main St., Willimantic, at 6:30 p.m. There, visitors can sample chocolate treats before heading into the renovated theater at 7 p.m. to enjoy love songs of all styles, performed by the Windham Performing Arts Alumni and friends. Tickets $15/person or $25/couple and may be reserved by calling (860) 450-0918 or pur­chased at Potpourri, (860) 456-4476, or at the box office the night of the event. Seats are limited and will sell out. For a complete listing of the Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival, visit www.romanticwil­limantic.org.

THE QUIET CORNER FIDDLERS
Fred’s Brick House Café, 1681 Main St., Willimantic, will host the Quiet Corner Fiddlers from 7 to 8:30 p.m. New fiddlers are always welcomed to join. Info: Chuck Morgan (860) 423-5403 or Kathy Lepak (860) 742-1547.

U2CHARIST
Storrs Community Church, 90 Tolland Turnpike, Coventry, will host an evening of music, readings and reflection inspired by the iconic rock band U2. Event is at 7:30 p.m.

SCHOOL VACATION ARTS CLASSES, UCONN
The Community School of the Arts (CSA), University of Connecticut is hosting special vacation arts programs for students ages 6-12 during February and April school vacations, and a wheel workshop for students ages 10-15 during April school vacation. Programs run from Feb. 21-25; April vacation arts classes and wheel workshop run from April 18-22. Both are held at UConn’s Depot campus, Mansfield. Half-day registration $32.50 per day (9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and whole-day registration $65 per day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The wheel workshop, which is only available as a weeklong program, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., fee of $360, which includes all materials. Information/registration: (860) 486-1073 or visit online at www. csa.uconn.edu.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13

WMTC LIONS CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The Elks Club, Pleasant Street, Willimantic, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. $6 adults, $5 seniors and children. Proceeds benefit local sight conser­vation projects.

COLUMBIA, WINTER BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Saxton B. Little Free Library will hold a used book sale to raise funds for the library. Admission is open and free to all. Sale is Sunday, Feb. 13, which is a special discount day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All books are 50 per­cent off. Location: Chapel on the Green, Route 87, Columbia (next to the library). Info: (860) 228-0350.

ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
Oak Grove Montessori Elementary and Preschool, 132 Pleasant Valley Rd., Mansfield Center, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Info. (860) 456- 1031 or email admin@ogms.org

E.O. SMITH DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS HAIRSPRAY
E.O. Smith Auditorium, Rte. 195, Storrs, 1:30 p.m. Tickets $7 for stu­dents and seniors, $9 for the general public. Info. (860) 429-3437.

BRASS CONCERT, FESTI­VAL AND COMPETITION AT UCONN
An Evening Concert with the Atlantic Brass Quintet and the UConn Brass Faculty, 7 p.m., von der Mehden Recital Hall on the UConn campus in Storrs. $10 for the general public and free for partici­pants in the Brass Festival held ear­lier that day. Festival registration is $40. Info. (860) 486-1073, or visit http://csa.uconn.edu/brassfest/.

Posted 2-10-2011