Planning and Zoning Commission Says 'Yes' To Fun

North Branford wants to bottle up some fun - indoors.

Last night, the town granted BounceU, an indoor amusement center, a 10-year lease to operate in a building that adjoins the Big Y supermarket at 1289 Foxon Road.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved an amendment to alter zoning regulations, granting BounceU’s application for a special use permit for a 10-year lease. At a , the commission approved a five-year lease.

Town Planner Carol Zebb reported that the South Central Regional Planning Commission and the Midstate Regional Planning Agency expressed no reservations about the five-year extension. Zebb said the SCRPC said allowing the 10-year lease “doesn’t cause any negative impact to towns in Southern Connecticut or Long Island Sound.”

The commissioners unanimously voted to approve the extension, which becomes effective March 8.

The commission said the owners will be bound to strict observance of their lease, which forbids alcohol, pool tables and video games at the amusement center. The extension “gives us more flexibility to deal with the use of the indoor amusement center,” Commissioner Charles Gunn stated after the vote.

At the Jan. 6 meeting, Jason Julian, of Julian Development, said BounceU construction is slated to be completed in May. At last month's meeting, Julilan outlined plans to reconfigure doors and windows, and raise ceilings to accomodate party space.

The next item on the agenda concerned approving a site plan for Axles, a private membership club that will serve alcohol, which plans to open its facility at the Pondview Industrial Park at 2344 Foxon Road.

Timothy Lee, a lawyer representing Axles and Axles member Henry Martone, appeared in front of the commission to discuss their site plan. The club has existed for seven years and has six Branford area members, but has never had its own location and currently operates out of members’ houses.

Lee said no exterior work on the building is required at the industrial park, as he presented a site plan for the interior space. He began his presentation by apologizing to the commission for the installation of a bar and tables to the space before gaining approval.

“We want to correct the problem,” Lee said.

The commission approved the site plan, however, with a number of conditions: Axles must address violations of fire and building codes that have recently been filed; prove it has been awarded a nonprofit membership club status by the IRS; obtain a state liquor permit; arrange for adequate parking in accordance with the use category ascribed by Connecticut building codes.

The parking issue was the most contentious at the meeting with commissioners debating how many spaces are needed, while Lee explained that the square footage of the interior space determined 20 would be adequate, in keeping with state codes. He also said the club would be open during evening hours, when other commercial tenants at the address would not need the parking spaces.

“You have a lot of work to do,” Zebb told Lee after issuing the approval.