Bid to Convert Old St. Augustine's Church into a Residence Stalled

The former St. Augustine’s Church, on Route 139 at 279 Branford Rd., now the site of , a museum and gallery that displays paintings and sculpture, is for sale and Lenore Shapiro who operates , a small practice at 635 Foxon Rd. wants to buy it and convert it into a combined office/residence.

Last night Shapiro’s lawyer, Pat Young, appeared before the Planning & Zoning Commission to appeal for clearance to establish a residence in a B2 commercial district, but he didn’t quite succeed. While the Commission appreciated Shapiro’s character and small business that would be no threat to the neighborhood, it wasn’t able to overcome regulations that may not allow residences in a commercial zone.

Shapiro will be required to apply for a variance before the Zoning Board of Appeals that will permit dwelling in a B2 zone.

Young described Shapiro as a prosperous businesswoman who provides child therapy on a pro bono basis and is “the kind of person we should keep in our town.”

Town planner Carol Zebb said the former church has historical presence and Shapiro’s business provides one-on-one customer service “so it’s not counterproductive to the neighborhood.”

But before the Commission could approve Shapiro’s request there was discussion of the town’s zoning regulations, which permit the operation of businesses in residential units. But the former church is not a residential unit and it is located in a B2 zone “so we have to determine how to fit it in,” Zebb said.

Commissioner Frances Lescovich determined that a variance would be required because without it anyone could use a business premises as a residence. The rest of the Commission agreed and Young was instructed to apply for the variance.

A site plan application may not be required after the variance is approved.