Long-Time Madison Business Looks to Upgrade its Site to Remain Competitive

MADISON, CT - Landon Lumber Co. at 134 Boston Post Road is seeking approval from the town Planning and Zoning Commission for an expansion to its site and the construction of a new building, according to recent meeting minutes.

The applicants: Drew and Mark Landon are seeking a site plan modification for construction of a new 5,000 sq. ft. pre-engineered metal storage building and a new 780 sq. ft. sales office.

Additionally, a 150 sq. ft. loading dock, a 630 sq. ft. overhang, and a new concrete platform and ramp are proposed to be added to existing buildings. As part of the application, several existing buildings towards the rear of the property are proposed to be removed, resulting in a 1.9% reduction in lot coverage, meeting minutes state.

According to meeting minutes here are some highlights from a recently held public hearing on the request:

Landon Lumber Co. started its retail lumber at this site in 1928, and it continues to be a very active retail lumber company, according to the application.

For the company to remain competitive, in a highly competitive retail lumber market setting, featuring establishments such as Branford Lumber and the more recent Ring’s End, Landon Lumber has to have the products available to sell; customers do not want to wait three weeks for supplies to arrive, meeting minutes state. Landon Lumber needs to have the capacity to store supplies to make them readily available to customers, and the application addresses these needs, according to the applicant's presentation.

Details of the Proposal

Plans are to take down three buildings to construct a new 5,000 square foot pre-engineered metal storage building and a new 780 square foot sales office space; a 150 square foot loading dock, a 630 square foot overhang, and a new concrete platform and ramp are proposed to be added to existing buildings.

These plans will reduce the lot coverage from 39,009 square feet to 35,044 square feet. Although the use is nonconforming in the residential R-2 Zoning District, the proposed work does not extend or expand the current operation and, therefore, complies with Section 12 of the Planning and Zoning Regulations, according to Director of Planning and Economic Development David Anderson.

Furthermore, the proposed construction meets the bulk standard requirements of the zoning district, regarding setbacks and building height, according to Anderson.

This new configuration of buildings will improve the efficiency of the operation as well as maneuvering space for trucks and other vehicles, the applicant stated at the meeting, according to minutes.

A concern was also raised whether more railroad cars would be entering and leaving the site, once the new buildings are constructed. Drew Landon explained that the lumberyard can only get four rail cars in, no matter how many buildings are on the property. Mr. Daly asked how many more trucks are expected, if this application is approved. Drew Landon stated that he does not know; while it would be nice to have more business, the housing industry in Connecticut is flat, and this application is being presented to allow for better utilization of the property.

Mr. Anderson stated that there were two letters sent in regarding the application, one of which was from Mr. Daly, and the second was from Bettina Braisted, 155 Boston Post Road, which Chairman Clark read into the record.

Drew Landon stated that a next-door neighbor has a five-acre parcel, but he is not interested in buying it. Mr. Matthews presented EXHIBIT 17, a deed showing two separate parcels for 124 Boston Post Road.

Mark Daly of 123 Boston Post Road stated that he is not against Landon Lumber knocking down their buildings and putting up new ones, but he clarified that in talking to Drew Landon, Mr. Landon did say he wanted to buy that five-acre parcel.

In 1953, Landon Lumber’s retail business was grandfathered into the Planning and Zoning regulations, but Mr. Daly wondered where is the paper that lists the restrictions placed on the company for operating in an R-2 zone.

Charles Shafer, 84 Woodsvale Road, stated that he has been a long time customer of Landon Lumber, and in his 30 years of doing business with the company, he has always been treated favorably. Furthermore, Landon Lumber has donated its products to Boy Scouts of America, and the company was early sponsors to a concert series, which Mr. Shafer stated that he runs.

Mr. Shafer named several public service activities in which Landon Lumber has been involved. In terms of general attitude and the way they comport themselves, they are exemplary, Mr. Shafer stated.

Landon Lumber isn't Expanding

Architect John Matthews stated that Landon Lumber is not expanding, nor is the company using the driveway, as a resident suggested. This current application, if approved, would allow Landon Lumber to remain competitive in a very competitive marketplace, Mr. Matthews stated. Mr. Anderson stated that if the five-acre parcel went up for sale, and Landon Lumber wanted to expand, the application would have to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance, which would have to turn it down.

Commissioner Kaplan made the motion to close the public hearing; it was seconded by Commissioner Chorney and unanimously approved.