Planning commission approves package‑store special exception for 220 Amity Road

The Woodbridge Planning & Zoning Commission approved a special exception permit April 21 for a package‑store (retail liquor) at 220 Amity Road, granting the application from N Hap LLC after a public hearing and brief work‑session discussion.

Attorney Dave Pike, representing N Hap LLC, told the commission the proposed standalone building attached to the Valero station meets the separation distances in the town's zoning code (Section 3.1 HH), including the 300‑foot buffer from schools and child‑care facilities. "We meet all those parameters," Pike said, adding that the store's size, height and parking are in harmony with neighboring uses and that construction is already underway.

Commissioners asked operational and site questions: whether refrigerated alcoholic beverages will be sold (Pike said yes), whether the liquor permit transfers with the property (staff and the town attorney said state liquor permits are not transferable and a new applicant would need a state permit), and whether parking and setbacks had been verified (staff confirmed they were).

Frigento Kowal, one of the LLC members present, said landscaping will be installed after construction is complete and described coordination with the state Department of Transportation on entry/exit signage: "DOT asked us to put up that sign ... you could only enter one way and then get out the other way," he said. No one from the public spoke during the hearing.

After closing the public hearing the commission moved the application into a work session and voted to approve the special exception. The commission recorded no formal conditions in the public record during the motion; staff will reflect any permit conditions in the written decision to be filed with the town.