WILTON – Planners decided to send proposed zoning ordinance changes to voters in June after a public hearing Thursday.

There were no comments about the changes.

Currently auto repair and auto sales appear in the same line on the land use table. The proposed amendment separates the two and takes auto sales out of residential, farm and forest, and the downtown village areas. Auto repair remains in those areas.

In other business, planners approved two permit applications and tabled two others until they get more information.

Kevin Moore, representing C.N. Brown Co. said he plans to rebuild the Big Apple convenience store that recently burned on Route 2. He also plans to move the gas and diesel pumps there. Moore said construction will begin in about two weeks.

Planners said the original store was a non-conforming structure because it was built too close to the road. Now the store will be set further back. Moore said the new store will be “bigger and better.” While only a 30 percent expansion is allowed for a non-conforming structure, planners decided this regulation does not apply because most of the new structure will be conforming.

Planners approved the building permit provided the building and diesel pumps meet all setback requirements, the gas pumps won’t be any closer to the road than they already are, and the land is tapered toward the existing ditch in an effort to improve water flow to accommodate neighbors. Dumpsters outside the building will be enclosed.

Planners tabled a building permit and operating permit for Tammy McGowan and Louis and Joyce Webster until the business owners provide more information. Planners said they can not approve operating permits until the building permit has been granted.

The group wants to build a business complex on Route 2 across from the Big Apple that will house several businesses. They asked for permits to operate a catering and cake service, retail sales of windows, doors, and carpets, kayak and canoe rentals, and a guide service. The building is planned on a acre lot that was subdivided from surrounding property.

Planners said they need a detailed plan including setback measurements from the road, side and back boundaries from the property line to the edge of the building, and the number and size of parking spaces. Also needed is information about when the property was subdivided because different regulations apply according to when the subdivision happened. Part of the property is in a resource protection zone so the group will need to keep construction and parking out of that area. They will revisit the application at their next meeting May 6.

Eagles Sport Shop, also on Route 2, will be under new ownership. Planners approved a permit for Gary York to operate the existing business. York said no changes will be made to the building, other than a sign change at some point.

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