Panel approves temporary special exception for school to operate at Seaton Square

A town panel voted to approve a temporary special exception permitting a private school to operate at Seaton Square, a commercial property in an industrial area, through June 30, 2027, the chair announced after the motion carried.

Christopher Zechariades, the property owner, told the panel he and his daughter own Seaton Square and have included nuisance-avoidance provisions in tenant leases. Zechariades said he and the school have discussed changes to reduce risks to children, including moving recess out of the parking lot and installing acoustical measures. "So so that has to be stopped, and it will be stopped," Zechariades said, referring to children playing in the parking area.

Panel discussion focused on the town's 14-factor special-exception standard. Scott, a panel member, and staff reviewed which factors were applicable and recommended objective conditions be attached if the panel approved the request. Scott proposed limits including an enrollment cap and a requirement to return to the panel if the cap were neared: "set a term limit of 1 year and that enrollment headcount is set at 50," Scott said in outlining a possible benchmark.

Board members debated whether to impose a time limit or rely on lease cycles and landlord enforcement. Wayne Slaughter, a board member, asked whether a school in an industrial park could reasonably operate without disrupting neighbors. Multiple members noted the owner and the school had proposed mitigation steps and that nearby tenants had not reported ongoing problems; staff summarized the evidence and guided the panel on making findings of fact linked to the relevant criteria.

The motion to approve included conditions and explicit findings that mitigation measures and the school's plan to move recess alleviate concerns related to traffic/pedestrian safety and noise for surrounding properties (identified as criteria 2, 7, 9 and 12 in the town's code). The panel agreed to set an end date of June 30, 2027, for the special exception and to require findings of fact based on the testimony presented. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair declared, "The motion carries."

The panel adjourned immediately after the vote. The decision allows the school to continue operating at Seaton Square under the conditions described; the panel noted it could revisit the matter if complaints or new evidence emerge.