PZC denies request on possible Scantic event venue

By Laura B. Hayden

EAST WINDSOR — Long after last year’s Election Day campaign posters had long since vanished — signs declaring No Scantic Event Facility still appeared through most of January on some East Windsor lawns.

The signs signified opposition to an event venue proposed by the East Windsor Historical Society at a barn on their property at 115 Scantic Road. The Historical Society is a private foundation not run by the town.

A final decision to deny the Historical Society’s request was announced at the Jan. 24 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting which, though open to the public was not open for discussion.

“It was just no with no comment,” said Historical Society member Nancy Masters.

The proposed venue had been described as a facility that could host activities such as weddings, showers, farmers markets, blood drives, youth sports, and Lions Club events.

After a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at end of last year the Journal Inquirer reported that Jay Ussery of J.R. Russo & Associates, a civil engineering and land-surveying firm, said the Historical Society was applying for a special-use permit because the town zoning regulations require farms to do so for event hosting.

More than 100 residents attended that hearing, most of whom showed up in opposition to the proposed facility.

Those who spoke said they worried about the lighting for the parking lot and how it may affect abutting properties as well as traffic concerns and neighborhood noise issues that could occur in the residential area.

Three likewise boisterous meetings preceded that December meeting.

On Jan. 10 the Planning and Zoning Commission closed another highly attended and vocal public hearing on the Historical Society’s plans with most of the crowd of residents shouting from their seats, wearing “No Event” stickers, and applauding anyone who spoke against granting permission for the event venue.

A few days before the decision was made public, Ruthanne Calabrese, East Windsor director of planning and development, said “We’ve received plenty of written and email comments —in support, in opposition, and neutral.”

Calabrese said at the time that the Commission would be just following a process, adding, “I just try to be a neutral ground, looking at regulations.”

A few days before the final decision Historical Society member Nancy Masters said that in the past a number of businesses in town have held events and are just as close to homes as the Historical Society barn.