Millbrook approves plan to create new apartments

MILLBROOK — An application to renovate the second floor of the Reardon-Briggs Hardware store on Franklin Avenue to create new apartments was approved unanimously by the Planning Board at their regular meeting on Monday, July 8.

The second floor of the hardware store presently offers two apartments standing adjacent to underutilized space that owner Dawn Carolei intends to renovate, gutting the second floor and creating one two-bedroom apartment and one single-bedroom apartment.

Plans were reviewed by architect Steven Hackbarth of Clinton Corners at a public hearing on Monday, June 10.

The public hearing brought few comments from residents about the plans for the hardware store space, designated as the first phase of a two-phase plan, the two phases considered separately by the Planning Board.

Planning Board Chairman Frank Redl said the second phase will be presented for public hearing at a future meeting. That second phase proposing conversion of an existing garage at 4 Merritt Avenue, expanding the building to create four one-bedroom apartments drew considerable concern from residents at the June meeting.

In a second action, the Planning Board voted unanimously to approve plans submitted by Katherine Fitta to create an accessory apartment at her home, to provide housing for a family member. The garage apartment at 92 Maple Avenue would measure 586 square feet, Fitta had explained.

Comments from neighbors offered at the June public hearing were mostly favorable, although one neighbor was concerned about uses of the apartment in the future.

A public hearing has been scheduled for the next Planning Board meeting on Monday, Aug. 12, on plans to re-establish a restaurant at 16-18 Alden Place, an application submitted by owner Nunzio Incorvaia of Naples, Florida, who operated a restaurant at the location for 30 years.