Thursday, February 5, 2009

Hot dogs, interrupted


Parslow looks on from front row as
Attorney Bennet presents history
of Miss Patsy's stand




The Zoning Board of Appeals failed to maintain quorum at their monthly meeting, forcing the tabling of a hearing on the status of a Miss Patsy's Hot Dog stand at the corner of South Main and Randolph Road. Board members Judy Pehota, Linda Reil, Martin Reardon, and alternate Robert Stefurak were present at the beginning of the meeting, the minimum number necessary to hold a meeting. Judy Pehota chaired the meeting in the absence of Annabel Resnisky, who Pehota said is away in Florida. Alternates Joseph DeFrancesco and Evelyn Russo were also unable to attend.

In November of 2008, the zoning enforcement officer ruled that Miss Patsy's is allowed to operate on a lot in a residential zone because there was a previous approved non-conforming use on that lot. Christopher Parslow, who lives on a neighboring lot, is appealing this ruling to the ZBA. Tonight, several dozen members of the public had come to show their support and possibly speak on behalf of Mr. Parslow or Miss Patsy.

The meeting began with an hour long presentation on the history and the law relating to the property by Mr. Parslow's attorney, John Bennett. However, when Attorney Bennett finished his presentation, Chair Pehota called an unexpected recess. She then informed the assembled public that the meeting would have to be adjourned because one of the commissioners had been called away on an emergency.

The case of the hot dog stand will continue at the March 5th ZBA meeting.







Another hot dog stand, in South Florida.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why don't we all go to Florida or Hawaii for the Winter? Then we could roll up the streets til better weather prevails. Maybe commissioners and chair persons should be required to pass a Winter Sports Enthusiast test including dog sledding, curling, ice sculpture, or snowflake watching? In this way better attendance would be assured and Mr. Bennet and others could better schedule their time!

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, there needs to be MORE mobile eateries. With the economy as is, why shouldn't someone be able to offer a home-cooked meal from a truck which offers a great product at a lower cost to local customers? In many places on the West Coast, this kind of thing is very well accepted, as it should be here in CT, but isn't.

If a person wanted to open just a small restaurant somewhere, they would be looking at about a $400,000 investment. Why can't there be room for different solutions to providing good food?