The Old Town Hall, an important historic building in Granby, has been under consideration for reuse and preservation. The Granby Preservation Society, aiming to revitalize the building, proposed a mixed-use development that would require site plan approval from the Planning Board. During the meeting, the society emphasized its eagerness to progress with the project and discussed the requirements for obtaining a certificate of occupancy.

Significant to the project’s advancement was the discussion on the mixed-use overlay district, which pertains to the Old Town Hall’s location. The board addressed inquiries regarding dimensional requirements and density calculations, which are important for the society’s development plans. The potential for increased density within the district was also deliberated, as it would impact the project’s scope and the community.

The Planning Board provided detailed explanations regarding these zoning concerns and considered their implications for the Old Town Hall project. Understanding the importance of clear and updated zoning bylaws, the board expressed interest in applying for a grant that would allow them to review and possibly amend these regulations. The approval of the submission of an expression of interest for the grant application marked a step towards ensuring that the zoning bylaws would support the town’s development objectives effectively.

Another development in the meeting was the formalization of a parking agreement between the church and the Granby Preservation Society, which addressed one of the major logistical challenges of the project. The agreement secured the shared use of driveways and parking spaces, providing an additional 40 parking spaces for the Old Town Hall. This agreement brings the total available parking for events to around 100 spaces, which is a substantial improvement and will facilitate greater usage of the facility.

The discussion also touched upon safety improvements, as the installation of safety plexiglass on the second-floor windows of the Old Town Hall had been completed. This measure ensures the building’s compliance with safety standards, an essential step in preparing the hall for public occupancy.

The Planning Board debated the completeness of the application for the Old Town Hall project, highlighting the need for updated information, including architectural plans and stormwater management details. It was noted that all necessary drawings and documentation must be provided to the building inspector to proceed with the application.

The board suggested reviewing the minutes and taking action on them at the next meeting.