Wind turbines on M.U.M. campus green-lighted

Maharishi University of Management has been granted a variance to erect two wind turbines on campus as learning tools for the sustainable living department.

The Board of Adjustment granted M.U.M.?s request Monday evening, as well as the Fairfield Kiwanis Club?s request to build a storage unit/office at 603 North D St. A request to allow a residential rental at the back of 203 W. Broadway Ave. was denied.

Lonnie Gamble, a professor in the university?s sustainable living department, explained plans for a 100-foot tall turbine to power the new Sustainable Learning Center and an 80-foot tower that students will be able to tear down and rebuild. One would be positioned northwest of the school?s library ? the other between the library and the learning center.

?It?s a good project for the college,? said Ross Walker, chairman of the board.

?I want to encourage it,? agreed board member Brandon Nelson, adding the city?s green strategic plan supports projects like this.

A variance is needed for the towers because the campus is situated in a general residential district where structures exceeding 30 feet in height are prohibited.

The Fairfield Kiwanis Club plans to put a Cleary building on the empty lot at 603 North D St. to store the organization?s tables chairs, tent and records. The structure also will be large enough to park the club?s Chuck Wagon.

The Kiwanis Club currently rents a storage unit from the cemetery association, but records are kept by individual office-holders, and there?s no room to park the van indoors.

Neighbor Kathleen Hall objected to the plans, expressing concern about the effect on home values in the neighborhood. She also was concerned about the view from her home at 308 E. Kirkwood Ave.

Kiwanis Club Treasurer Jeff Johnston said setting the structure farther back from D Street would be more expensive because the D Street utility lines must be accessed. The building will be set back roughly 40 feet from the lot line, so the van can be parked outside for loading and servicing.

Walker said although the property is in a residential district, it is well suited for the Kiwanis? use.

Before the board approved special use of the property, Hall asked that trees be planted in front of the building to enhance the view. The Kiwanis Club agreed to landscape the property.

Vipul and Swati Gupta requested permission to rent out former office space at 203 W. Broadway Ave. as residential space. The front of the building houses a Mexican restaurant.

Vipul Gupta said with so much vacant office space in town, it was difficult finding a commercial renter for the space. The back portion of the one-story building was converted to an apartment, and the Guptas just learned Fairfield code prohibits a residential rental on the business level.

?It?s hard for me to put housing in a business zone on the first floor,? Walker said. ?We?ve never done it.?

He expressed concern it could set a precedent for downtown properties.

Gupta pointed out the apartment does not front the street, making it difficult to rent as retail space. It also has its own parking.

?I?d rather see someone live there than have it vacant,? Nelson said, adding Fairfield has enough vacant buildings.

Nelson was, however, outvoted, and the Guptas? special use request was denied 3-1.