MILLERTON — Eight apartments could become the first homes built under North East’s new Route 44 zoning regulations, marking the start of a development strategy designed to bring housing to the town’s commercial corridor.
Local petroleum distributor GRJH Inc. presented plans to the Planning Board on Wednesday, June 24, to convert a two-story office building located across Route 44 from North East Ford that it has owned since 1997 into an eight-unit apartment building.
Lauren Simons and her daughter, Lilly, presented the plans that would include five one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom units and one studio. One of the units would be designated as “affordable.”
The proposal is the first residential project made possible by the town’s recent zoning overhaul. Volunteers spent more than four years drafting a new commercial zoning code with a central focus of bringing housing opportunities to a part of town that has long been seen as underdeveloped. Lauren Simons said she expects to finish the project by spring 2027 pending approval from town officials.
With the project now before the Planning Board, Lauren Simons said the building’s exterior, parking lot and roadside sign would remain unchanged.
Planning Board members requested additional information after noting the plans did not show the existing site conditions, including the parking lot and other exterior features.
“If we approve the site plan and it’s there then we can’t bother you later,” said Dale Culver, chair of the Planning Board. “I would rather see a little more detail now rather than any problems for you later.”
Discussion later turned to sewage capacity and sidewalk requirements.
Planning Board member Bill Kish questioned whether the property’s septic system could accommodate eight apartments, noting that the proposed municipal wastewater system would likely not serve the building and that sewage demands for eight residential units would be substantial.
Simons responded that the building was originally constructed as a high-volume restaurant in the 1980s, with parking and a septic system designed to handle significantly greater demand. She said septic consultants have evaluated the system and determined it can support the proposed eight apartments.
The proposal also prompted a broader discussion about ambiguities in the town’s new zoning code.
Board members questioned a provision requiring developers along Route 44 to build sidewalks, noting there are no sidewalks adjoining the property and raising concerns about how future sections would connect.
Board member Leslie Farhangi said applicants have previously addressed similar situations by granting sidewalk easements and constructing sidewalks later as neighboring properties develop.
Board member Charles Sternberg called attention to two seemingly unrelated and conflicting code sections outlining regulations for multi-family dwellings.
The board ended the discussion with requests for additional details on the site’s existing conditions including septic system, exterior lighting, landscaping, interior floorplan details and information on options for a sidewalk. The application is expected to come before the board for a second round of discussion in July.
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