Conversion to apartments aids open space, housing stock

NORTH CANAAN — A plan to convert a single-family home to a multi-family was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission two weeks ago.

An application to convert a two-story home at 216 Ashley Falls Road into one apartment on each floor has been under review. Owners Arthur and Maria Subklew told the commission during a public hearing Nov. 19 the work will be primarily to add a kitchen and separate utilities.

“Our children are in college and we don’t need as much space,� Maria Subklew said. “We want to rent some of it out.�

This is exactly the sort of approach planning experts say is needed to combat sprawl. Concentrated residential areas — more people on less acreage — helps towns be more efficient in many ways. It also aids in conserving open space.

But those who live in close confines in town centers closely guard their space and privacy.

At the hearing, Frank Fechteler, a longtime resident at 214 Ashley Falls Road, raised concerns he and his wife, Carole, have regarding increased traffic and noise. He envisioned a need for more than the four parking spaces the Subklews proposed, with a potential for up to five people living in each apartment.

The Subklews said they plan to remain in residence on the first floor. They already have a single person interested in the upstairs apartment.

“We don’t want a lot of people in the house,� Arthur Subklew said. “We plan to stay there. There is no way we want to turn it into an apartment house with a lot of people or noise. “

“But what happens if they decide to leave in a year?� Fechteler asked.

Zoning Enforcement Officer Karl Nilsen explained that approval would be under a special exemption to zoning regulations, which would “run with the deed.� But any new property owner would have to either abide by the conditions of the exemption, or apply for a new permit.

In the end, it was the Subklews who proposed the conditions of the permit:that no more than three people reside in either apartment and no more than four vehicles are parked there by residents.

That block has been under considerable scrutiny in recent years. It is sandwiched between the central business zone that ends just north of the railroad crossing and the commercial zone that begins just south of the North Elm Street intersection. Former Planning and Zoning Chairman Martin McKay commented publicly it was a mistake not to zone it commercial from the start.

Kevin Nelligan moved his law offices to 194 Ashley Falls Road after successfully obtaining an extension of the central business zone. That required getting the approval of the one residential property owner in between, who had long been unsuccessful in selling the property as a residence.

Since then, a property owner across the street was denied approval for a special permit to turn a two-story home into a real estate office and apartment. Neighbors on either end of the block did not agree to the required commercial zone extension.