WILTON — Planning board members agreed Thursday to bring a request for a change in zoning for the former Wilton Primary School to voters at June’s annual town meeting.

A request to change the zone to light commercial was expected after selectmen sold the school to Michael Wells for $50, contingent on the zone change. Wells wanted to use the site for biodiesel fuel production for local farmers.

After walking through the building, Wells told the board he’s come up with a second potential use, elderly housing.

To accommodate either use, the board approved changing the zone to Downtown Village, an option that provides more flexibility for development in town, Code Enforcement Officer Paul Montague said. The RSU 9 bus maintenance garage across the street is included in the zone change, Montague said.

A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. April 5 at the Town Office on this and other ordinance changes the board wants to bring before voters in June.

Wells told the board he has talked with a member of the Neighborhood Association, a group that formed to pursue development of the school. They were happy with plans for either use, he said.

The building will not be used for both options but allows Wells to consider which one is best. Whatever he decides means applying for necessary permits and coming back before the board.

The school is in good condition, Wells said. He’s leaning toward converting the 8,500-square-foot school into housing for the elderly.

There are six large classrooms, 32 by 24 feet, he said. Wells expects those could be converted to eight or 10 apartments with halls serving as common-use areas.

“There’s a lot of potential. It just needs a face-lift,” Wells said.

Board members said apartments would provide a short walk to the library, grocery store or Kineowatha Park.

There’s ample parking for tenants, Montague said. When asked about asbestos at the school, Montague said as long as the asbestos is not disturbed, it can be encapsulated. Most of it is confined to steam pipe coverings.

Members asked about the Neighborhood Association’s concerns when a previous proposal involved turning the building into apartments. Based on grant funding for that project, it appeared the Section 8 housing concerned the group.

Some board members also questioned the safety of producing biodiesel fuel and storing the necessary ingredients in a residential neighborhood.

Those discussions will take place when Wells returns before the board with a definite plan.

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