Owners of 12 Pinewoods seek guidance as site‑plan approval lapses; commission says zoning likely unchanged
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Summary
Owners of 12 Pinewoods Road told the commission they are marketing a former restaurant property and asked about the expired five‑year site‑plan approval. Commissioners said the local business zoning will not likely change and that applicants can resubmit modified plans without losing the existing footprint protections.
Cheryl and Chris Marino, owners of the former restaurant site at 12 Pinewoods Road, met with the Planning and Zoning Commission Oct. 15 to discuss options after a five‑year site plan approval lapsed.
Chris Marino said the property litigation and market conditions delayed redevelopment. "We are here tonight for the commission to respectfully request a continuance of our site plan applicate or approval and building permit," Marino said, describing three years of litigation and subsequent efforts to market the parcel.
Commissioners and staff explained that although the prior site plan approval expired, the owners retain the practical advantage of the existing building footprint in many respects. Jeremy Lightford said an owner may return with a revised plan for the same footprint or submit a new application for a different layout; either approach would be governed by current zoning standards. The chair and commissioners emphasized the property’s location on a state road and in the Local Business zone and said the city would not favor a rezoning to residential at that intersection.
Cheryl Marino said the family hopes to secure a long‑term tenant or land lease and is privately marketing the property. Commissioners encouraged the owners to return with a prospective tenant willing to re‑tool the existing plans and noted that architectural and engineering work on the prior approval could be adapted.
No formal vote was required; the discussion served to clarify process and expectations for future applications.