The Planning & Zoning Commission is expected to vote during a special meeting Tuesday on New Canaan Library’s closely followed applications to rebuild its facility.
The 6 p.m. meeting, to be held via videoconference (login info below), will be the eighth hearing that P&Z has held on the library project since the organization filed its plans Feb. 26.
Those plans call for a new 42,641-square-foot library with a 355-seat auditorium, outdoor terrace and ‘library green’ that encompasses the parcel where the 1913 building now stands.
During their last meeting, P&Z members agreed to flesh out for a future vote two options regarding the fate of the original library building and a 1936 addition. One would approve the library’s plan for a new building while calling for the organization to return to the Commission within a set timeframe with plans to “appropriately commemorate” the older buildings. The other would halt construction until the library submits a plan to “incorporate and integrate” the east and north facades and roof of the old buildings in a way that is acceptable to P&Z.
Selectman Nick Williams last week praised P&Z as “the hardest-working band in show business.”
“Really what they do is amazing, the amount of time and effort they spend working for our town is incredible,” Williams said during the July 6 selectmen meeting, held via videoconference. His comments came during a portion fo the meeting set aside for selectmen comments on general matters before the town.
“Regardless of the disposition of the 1913 building, if for whatever reason the library project does not go forward—I’m talking about the new library, putting aside the 1913 library—then we as a town have utterly failed and as a Board of Selectmen we have utterly failed,” he continued. “This is great project. It should go forward, and we need it to go forward.”
First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said in response, “I think we all agree with that statement.”
Under a draft Memorandum of Understanding, the town would contribute $10 million toward the library project, estimated to cost about $39.2 million overall. The library has a four-year plan to fundraise the balance, according to the organization. It will take about two years to build, library officials have said.
Advocates for preserving the 1913 building have said it should be restored and remain in place. Library officials last month said they’d be willing to preserve and move the Main Street-facing portico and facade of the 1913 building to the property line they share with the Gulf station.
The library is applying for Special Permit and site plan approval, and attendant applications for a new overlay zone and boundary change.
Tuesday night will mark P&Z’s third special meeting dedicated to the library applications. The volunteer Commission opened public hearings in March and has taken testimony and discussed the project at regular meetings and also held one weekend site visit. The Commission doesn’t have to make a decision this week. P&Z has 65 days from when the public hearing on the matter was closed (May 25) to vote on the library’s applications. That puts a deadline for a decisive vote at July 30, officials said. P&Z’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 27.
Those seeking to attend P&Z’s special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday are directed to log into Zoom here, and here’s the login info for those using the Zoom app or website: Webinar ID 876 7755 0151 and Passcode 639084.
Thank you Michael, for giving us the zoom ID and password for the special P and Z meeting at 6 pm tonight. You do a fine job of keeping us informed and engaged. Peggy Jay