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06/14/2017 10:04 PMWith a supportive vote from Branford's RTM on June 14, the curtain is closer than ever to rising on non-profit Legacy Theatre in Stony Creek, where performances, programs, and events will fulfill the vision Legacy leaders began pursuing in 2013.
The RTM approved a street side parking settlement proposal that was meted out recently between legal representatives of the Legacy, Stony Creek Association (SCA), and individual Stony Creek residents; the settlement arose from a lawsuit orginially brought against the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) by the SCA. Now, the ZBA will need to first conduct a public hearing, then vote, on whether to give final approval to the settlement agreement. Town Attorney Bill Aniskovich said the public hearing and vote will be on the Tuedsay, June 20 ZBA agenda.
"We'll be on the agenda for the ZBA agenda for June 20, and under the statute that meeting has to include a public hearing, so there will be public hearing portion of it as well," said Aniskovich.
If the ZBA agrees to approve the settlement, that's the final vote needed from the town, with the approval then brought before the court for legally stipulated approval.
For the leaders of the Legacy Theatre, receiving the approval from the RTM on June 14 was a reason to celebrate, following years of starts and stops experienced by the Legacy Theatre as it worked to first purchase, then renovate the historic Stony Creek theater building, which last operated as the Puppet House.
Shortly after the new non-profit began working toward renovating and re-opening the theater building, residents opposed to potential problems the venue could bring raised issues on the viability of a fit-up permit issued in 2014 and questioned some of the proposed venue use, parking, and other concerns, leading to legal challenges raised by the SCA and individual Stony Creek residents. A settlement arrangment involved meeting for final negotiations, which started earlier this year.
The final piece of the puzzle, street-side parking and signage, was worked out among all parties. On June 1, the Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed the proposal and sent a positive report to the RTM, ahead of the June 14 RTM vote (see the story here).
Stepping out of the meeting after the successful RTM vote on June 14, Legacy co-founder and Artistic Director Keely Baisden Knudsen told Zip06/The Sound, "I feel absolutely amazing. I'm so glad the groups came together in a united front. We've come so far, from the beginning. All of the sudden, we were all together. It's great."
Legacy co-founder and Board Chair Stephanie Williams said she also wants to recognize and celebrate the effort made on all sides to come to consensus.
"It makes me really proud to show that after such bitter feelings at the beginning, people were able to come to a civilized consensus and resolve these things," said Williams.
With the pieces appearing to finally fall into place for the Legacy Theatre to officially open its doors at 128 Thimble Island Road, Knudsen said the final planning for what's needed begin operation is ready to begin.
"We have our annual board meeting in a couple of weeks and we'll plan it all out," said Knudsen. "The builder will be coming and telling us what we need to do next. And we have some funding in place that will really help us kick it off, and just take off from there."