Essex Zoning Commission Sets February Public Hearing on Basketball Court

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The zoning commission has scheduled a Feb. 22 public hearing fon the special permit application for a town sponsored basketball court at the former commuter parking lot on the corner of West Avenue and Saybrook Road.

The commission received the application from park and recreation commission members at a meeting Monday. The plans call for a regulation size basketball court at the former commuter lot the state Department of Transportation transferred to the town last year.

The zoning board of appeals in July approved several variances of town zoning regulations that were needed for the project to move forward. The board of selectmen last spring gave a general approval of the project if the proposed use is approved by the zoning commission. The park and recreation commission is hoping to fund the fenced and lighted basketball court through private donations.

In accepting the application, zoning commission Chairman Al Wolfgram said the panel would need letters of confirmation from the town’s liability insurance carrier and the Connecticut Light and Power Co. that there are no safety issued related to locating a public basketball court next to an electric power substation. The parcel abuts a CL& P substation.

The economic development commission recently approved a resolution opposing the siting of a basketball court at the commuter lot. The panel believes the lot should be retained for overflow parking from the downtown village during large events and the summer tourist season. The Essex Volunteer Fire Company, whose main firehouse abuts the site of the proposed basketball court, has not objected to the proposed use.