NORWAY – The parsonage of the community’s oldest church will be converted into apartment, office and music studio space after a change-of-use approval from the Norway Planning Board.

The board on Thursday voted 3-0 to approve the alterations for the Main Street building, which is owned by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Norway. Only three of five regular board members were present, including Mary Lou St. John and John Morgan. Alternate member Michael Micklon was also present.

Church representative Rowena Palmer said as a general rule ministers no longer live in parsonages. Attempts to rent the entire building have been at times unsuccessful, she said. “It’s a humongous building and the utilities are very, very expensive.”

However, Palmer added, “We’re looking to the future and we’re trying to become more community oriented.”

A combination of office and living space – with a music studio thrown in so that piano lessons can be offered to young students – is the solution the church proposes.

The church worked with Community Concepts of Paris to come up with the new uses, Palmer said.

Because the office spaces are not ready to be rented, the Planning Board asked that the church return for approval when the possible lessees are known.

In other business, the Planning Board voted 3-0 to approve a change of use at 34 Alpine St. Owner Susan Cairns will be changing the two-family building on the site into a one-family building and beauty salon. Cairns will be moving her business from Main Street in Paris.

The board without voting approved the expansion and relocation of OT to Play, an occupational and development therapy center for children and day care. The business, which was on Paris Street, has moved to 18 Grove St.

Finally, the board reviewed preliminary plans for a subdivision on Ralph Richardson Road. Applicants Jason Bobrowsky and Colman Walsh will appear before the board again Aug. 12 with a more detailed presentation.