Business, Commerce

III. Business / Commerce

B-1 Zone

• Lack of commercial/business establishments
• Parking could use improvement.
• Important to make viable, but also to ensure it does not become a magnet to increase traffic.
• Uses which would generate traffic and a need for parking would be inappropriate for this area
• More commerce equals more traffic. I am not in favor of this.
• Signs, bridges, types of roadside buildings to maintain "rural character" whenever possible
• Any use should be "small" in size, especially for number of employees, traffic, impact on neighbors
• Whatever is allowed should be small in scale, to serve local needs only.
• Keep it small-scale.
• No signs, lights to attract business
• Any expansion should minimize traffic congestion and keep rural character.
• B-1 owners need maximum flexibility, letting the market dictate what can be accommodated. If we want services in Etna we must support B-1.
• Keep the commerce area attractive and safe, but not so many restrictions that it becomes hard to operate a business.
• I prefer no changes - at least no additions to the present village.
• The village commerce area should be tightly restricted. What we have is about right.
• I see no need for major changes in current village center.
• A few more businesses in rural Hanover, but restricted.
• Village needs variety.
• Remove B-1 from Etna. On town land on Greensboro Road or old fire station OK.
• Population increase over 10 to 20 years could alter some of these preferences.
• If it ain't really broke, don't spend good money trying to fix it.
• What a lot of baloney about no problem.
• I would be concerned about development impact on traffic, commercial appearance (blight).
• Expand B-1 as needed.
• Keep low profile. Commercial uses need to be scrutinized before being allowed.
• Expansion of B-1 uses must respect the rural/historic nature of the village.
• New "villages" in rural Hanover would have to be artificial constructs. How could their stores compete with Hanover 8 miles in one direction and Lyme 8 miles in the other?
• Limit commerce as much as possible. We don't need it, our needs can be serviced somewhere else.
• The area is so small that any business should be carefully placed.
• For vehicular sales, I envision large parking lots - yuk!
• Keep desktop publication, eliminate printing operation.
• Since almost everybody in Etna works somewhere else, we do not need access to commercial facilities here.
• The key issue in zone usage is not the type of use, but the amount or volume of use. A small retail shop is good, but a huge mega-store is bad.
• Businesses in Etna have limited viability and should be restricted.
• Don't need more businesses or development in the area of Etna Village.
• Main problem with current zoning ordinance is the 1950's style of uses, which are fundamentally incompatible with present economy. Example: what is the difference between "auto service station" and "vehicle sales and repair"? They are outdated concepts.
• Prefer no zoning at all.
• Let's stop the B.S. in Etna and get on with life.

New Post Office, Store & Bridge

• If Etna store wants more space, they should be allowed to expand.
• General store is wonderful asset, but it won't make it if a lot of money is required to fix it.
• Unfair to restrict parking in front of Etna store unless foot bridge is put in to allow use of parking area on east side of Mink Brook.
• More parking at Etna store.
• Diagonal parking
• Should be handicap parking on either side of Etna Road by the store.
• Delivery trucks should park in space between the store and where School Lane is even with the bridge.
• A foot bridge would be nice.
• Foot bridge between new Post Office and store
• Foot bridge connecting Dickenson properties, required at his expense in addition to town improvements.
• Bridge to new Post Office is a hazard. Move Etna-Hanover Road end up road away from store.
• The Etna store has become a place to catch up on neighborly talk.
• Much safer with the Post Office separated from the store.
• Etna Post Office is in wrong place! Taxpayers shouldn't pay for bridge cost!
• Try things as they are for two years. Don't hurry.
• We love the Etna General Store and hope it stays exactly the same.
• Pave the parking lot. The dust is horrible.
• Parking area at new Post Office should be paved or treated to cut down dust.
• Move Etna store to the new Post Office area
• Etna store is essential.
• A covered pedestrian bridge connecting the Etna store with the Post Office could allow a social center to evolve, especially with an attractive place with benches near the brook. The mail seems to be the only common activity, and route delivery will diminish even that.

Suggested Additions to the B-1 Zone

• Restaurant (not drive-in), open in the evenings
• Restaurant or coffee shop
• Small cafe or restaurant
• Coffee and bakery shop
• Produce stand
• General store
• Library more in the town center where there is parking
• Automated teller machine (ATM)
• Childcare agency
• Housing
• Accessory apartments and dwellings (both attached and detached)
• Any services which benefit the handicapped, infirm or old folks
• Bed and breakfast
• Another bed and breakfast
• Small beauty salon
• Beauty parlor
• Gas station
• Bank
• Garbage dump, or any kind of dump
• Home offices
• Cottage businesses
• Nursery
• None
• No drive-through
• Slightly bigger and better general store.
• Expand B-1 to provide services the local people want. Gas station, etc.
• A village store for emergencies and necessities seems about right.
• Low-traffic service businesses are OK.
• No sidewalks, neon lights, motels, businesses to attract out-of-town patrons, parking garages or lots, or storage facilities.
• Limited growth of the retail and service industry is necessary.
• A little more business. Nothing that would wreck the scheme of things.
• An art gallery?
• A "Jasper Murdock" style pub with food could be a social gathering place for Etna.
• The interior decorating business in the owner's home is fine. Similar businesses would be fine.
• A gift shop
• Cleaners
• Antiques store
• Grocery store or similar use by Special Exception