Popular Avon Ice Cream Stand Gets Major Addition Approved

AVON, CT — A popular local ice cream shop will soon have a new attraction for guests looking to enjoy a scoop or two.

The Avon Planning and Zoning Commission, on Feb. 10, approved a proposal to add a children’s playground at Dom’s Creamery on West Main Street, despite concerns from one commissioner about safety and location.

The commission voted 6–1 to approve the application from Dom’s Properties LLC and Dom’s Creamery LLC for site plan approval at 16 West Main St.

Avon PZC Vice Chair Robin Baran recused herself from the discussion, and Avon PZC Alternate Mardelle Pena sat in her place for the application.

Owners Andrius and Asta Plankis told commissioners they plan to install a fenced playground for children ages 2 to 12, modeled after an existing design in Simsbury.

The playground would be open only during the ice cream shop’s business hours and would include benches for parents and bicycle racks.

They said the play area would be separated from the parking lot by barriers and enclosed with a see-through fence, with a locked gate facing the lot.

Access to Route 44 would be blocked for safety.

“We don’t want to hide the playground from the road as the playground would be open to the community,” the applicants said, noting they would consider limited landscaping.

Avon Planning and Community Development Director Hiram Peck said the playground would be considered an accessory use to the ice cream shop and could be removed if the business closes.

He added that, if approved, the applicants must work with town staff on safety measures, including barriers between the parking lot and play area.

Commissioner Joseph Gentile opposed the plan, citing concerns about the site.

“While the playground is a great idea, the location is not warranted,” Gentile said, also emphasizing safety issues.

PZC Commissioner Clay Stevenson made the motion to approve the application with conditions, seconded by Commissioner Chris White.

The approval requires the applicants to submit detailed plans showing how families will enter and exit the playground and how it will be protected from the parking area, including bollards or other barriers.

The fence must remain within property boundaries and not extend closer to West Main Street than the building’s existing porch.

Applicants must also verify the location of underground utilities before construction and coordinate with town departments.

Planning staff may require evergreen landscaping along the fence facing West Main Street.

Stevenson, White, Pena, Peter Mahoney, Jamie DiPace, and Chair Lisa Levin voted in favor. Gentile voted against.

After the vote, Baran returned to the meeting, and Pena stepped down from the panel.

For the minutes of the Feb. 10 Avon Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.