Low Road Sharon hearing extended

Low Road Sharon hearing extended

The Sharon Town Hall was packed for the Low Road hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Alec Linden

SHARON — It was standing room only Wednesday, Aug. 13, for the second round of public hearing for an application by arts nonprofit Low Road Sharon to develop an office space and events facility adjacent to the North Main Street shopping plaza.

Land Surveyor James McTigue of Arthur H. Howland & Associates and Conley Rollins representing the nonprofit presented changes to the proposal since the last hearing. The alterations were made in response to queries from residents and officials alike for more specific plans for the usage of the site and clarification on development specifications such as lighting, parking and landscaping.

McTigue said the new plans remove three of the tall pedestrian light fixtures to limit any lighting interference with abutters and Lovers Lane, which has no street lighting.

He stated there would be “no lighting on the backside of the property” adjacent to Lovers Lane. He noted that the lighting structures to be used follow “dark sky” principles, focusing their illumination downwards, not outwards, to mitigate spread. The lights will be timed to turn off no later than 9:30 p.m.

It was specified that the north building would be used primarily as an extension of the office space in the south building, but with the added capacity for cultural programming such as readings, exhibitions, and performances, hosted by Low Road Sharon, other local non-profits or the town. These events, which would be free of charge and open to the public, will be capped at 78 guests and end by 9 p.m., and there would be no external commercial use or rented events in the building.

Public comment yielded several more queries about traffic impact to Lovers Lane, to which McTigue responded that there is “no expected increase of traffic on Lovers Lane” as all parking is in on-site lots accessed from Low Road with overflow behind the NBT Bank on North Main Street.

A letter from Cassandra Hess on behalf of Thomas and Margaret Youngberg, residents on Lovers Lane, asked for several clarifications in the proposal, including a detailed tree removal plan, further lighting alterations and specification of the usage of a proposed walkway along a stream on the property, among other concerns. The letter states that abutting property owners have “significant concerns over the scale and impact of the current proposal.”

Two other letters read into the record showed support for the project. Stephanie Plunkett of Kirk Road argued that “creative industries… are powerful engines of local prosperity” and “enrich our sense of place and community identity.”

Nick Moore, who’s family farm sits on Low Road, described Jasper Johns, the celebrated painter, and Low Road Sharon as “good neighbors” and that the plans are “a big improvement over the existing structures” currently located at 1 Low Road.

The applicant filed for a 65-day extension of the hearing to formally respond to comments raised at the meeting. The hearing will be continued at the next P&Z meeting, scheduled for Sept. 10.

Latest News

Stanford’s Haunted Fortress gearing up for opening day

Volunteers were hard at work putting the finishing touches on the crucial creepy decorations for the Haunted Fortress of Stanford on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Nathan Miller

STANFORD — Greg Arent led a devoted team of volunteers on Sunday, Sept. 28, in a final push to prepare Stanford’s Haunted Fortress for opening day.

Final touches included cleaning the bottomless pit, scrubbing the pirate ship, raking the graveyard and dressing the dolls. By 2 p.m., about 20 volunteers had assembled to creepify the beloved local landmark.

Keep ReadingShow less
Horses heal: Time Out Foundation partners with Healing Hoofbeats in Lakeville

Corinne Kalser, MD, left, talks about the benefits of animals as therapy partners, as Renee Bouffard, LCSW, of Healing Hoofbeats of CT, on right, watches Harry Potter, a young horse at Time Out.In the background, Finnegan, lead horse at Time Out comes to see what’s going on.

L. Tomaino
“Horses and other livestock maintain their wild instincts. They sense what we are feeling and that makes them amazing therapy partners.”
— Renee Bouffard, LCSW

In 2008, Time Out Foundation became an official rescue and therapeutic riding facility, fulfilling a lifelong dream of founder, Corinne Kalser, M.D.With her husband, David McArthur, LCSW, and the rest of their staff, they offer a haven for children and adults through gentle, relaxed therapies centered around animals — rescued horses, dogs, cats, and goats — on their 35-acre farm in Lakeville.

To ensure the foundation continues, Kalser is partnering with Healing Hoofbeats of CT, an organization with a similar philosophy of care.

Keep ReadingShow less
Spooky season and beyond: A roundup of local fall fun

Millerton’s Willow Brook Farm is once again hosting its annual corn maze just north of the Village of Millerton.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The leaves are falling, Irving Farm is serving its seasonal Maple Pumpkin Chai and corn mazes are “cropping” up across the area. Fall fanatics can enjoy a variety of events and outings throughout eastern Dutchess County to celebrate the start of “Spooky Season.”

Here’s a sampling to get you started:

Keep ReadingShow less
A peaceful end at East Mountain House

The living room is light, airy, and quiet, with works from local artists on the walls...and no television.

Patrick L. Sullivan

Craig Davis and Keavy Bedell have opened East Mountain House in Lakeville. It is an end-of-life facility — a home, really — that can accomodate up to two guests at a time. The first guest arrived in mid-September.

The house, at 14 Bostwick St., is the one Davis shared with his wife Sandy Dennis, who died in 2020. Davis said her spirit lives on in the house itself and in the approach taken for the guests.

Keep ReadingShow less