Large crowd speaks for and against library plan

SHARON — The Zoning Board of Appeals held a well-attended public hearing on Monday, June 1, at Town Hall. Some members of the standing-room crowd had to listen to proceedings in the hallway.

The question: whether or not to give the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon a zoning variance so it can begin a long-in-the-works renovation to the historic building, which was built in 1893.

As part of the renovation, the library intends to add on to the existing building. The plans were approved by the Historic District Commission in January, but still need approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance to allow the library to build on more land than is allowed by zoning regulations.

The zoning variance request is based on hardship, which board member Jerry Simonson questioned at the beginning of the meeting.

“A hardship can be only created by the land, something about the land that precludes developing the property as the applicant would like to see it developed,� Simonson said. “We have seen some wonderful presentations [at past hearings] about what the petitioners want, but we have not heard anything about hardship. Those are not my rules, those are not Sharon’s rules, those are the state’s rules.�

Attorney William Manasse of the law firm Manasse, Slaiby and Leard of Kent represented the library at the meeting. He told the board that the hardship is the unique historical nature of the building and its architectural features. He cited several court cases and letters from Greg Farmer from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and Rachel Carley, an independent preservation consultant.

“The professionals seem to be in agreement that the proper location [for the expansion] should be where it is proposed, in order to protect the historic integrity of the building and its architectural features,� Manasse said. “This is an addition that is really needed, to make the library function as a library.

“The library is a unique building and you can’t just hang an addition anywhere that you choose. That’s our hardship.�

Board Chairman William Trowbridge said he has received a multitude of letters both for and against granting a variance. While he did not read all of the letters out loud at the meeting, Trowbridge did summarize some of them.

Those who oppose the expansion, “wrote that the expansion was too big and inappropriately large, unnecessary and overpowering to views,� Trowbridge said. “The residents in favor of the expansion wrote that the library needs more room, that something should be done to improve the library, that the library is not big enough and a larger library would allow more programs and room for handicapped access and kids.�

More than 40 residents attended the meeting, with some having to stand outside in the hall because the meeting room could not fit everybody.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, two residents supported the proposed expansion and one said he was against it.

Tom O’Hara said he was surprised that the library was getting a hard time over the proposed expansion.

“The library is a community resource, it’s part of our town,� he said. “It is terribly inadequate at present. It needs the expansion.�

Tom Gruenewald, who is handicapped and said he recently moved to town from New York state, said when he first visited the library, he was appalled by its accessibility challenges.

“The library director offered to let me [enter through] the staff entrance to avoid the hill in front, although it did not help me because the stairs are not terrific,� Gruenewald said. “Nonetheless, I still use the library. It’s a beautiful building and it cannot be retrofitted for the 21st century without really compromising the historic nature of it.�

William Kinney, who lives right behind the library in an apartment on Upper Main Street, said he is against the proposed expansion.

“I see a need for the library but I don’t see a need for the library [in the proposed location],� Kinney said. “I think if we want to get into the 21st century then we could put the library somewhere else, possibly in a more modern building that wouldn’t cost so much to renovate. It’s going to cause a conflict with traffic and I don’t think [the library] realizes the unsightliness of cars parking up on Upper Main Street all the time.�

The hearing was continued at the request of Manasse, to give the board time to consult with its attorney.

The next hearing will be held on Thursday, June 18, at Town Hall at 7 p.m.