The Easton Planning and Zoning Commission continued its public hearing on a local yoga studio’s application to rezone its property at 248 Center Road as a major home-based business.
Strong on Center’s application has put a spotlight on major home-based business permits. Obtaining the designation would allow Strong on Center to continue under a special permit, similar to how some local farms and other businesses are already permitted under the designation.
Supporters of the studio argue it promotes health and community engagement and is a natural fit for Easton. Others oppose its size, the traffic it generates, and fear it would set a precedent for unwanted commercial development in residential neighborhoods.
Planning and Zoning held two hearings on the application on June 3 and 17. The commission will likely conclude with a vote on July 1.
Opened in 2019, Strong on Center has operated outdoor classes and temporary structures, facing challenges during the pandemic. Town officials notified the owners in 2022 that a permit was required, prompting a lengthy approval process, including wetland surveys.
Karen McGovern and her partner, Gary Smith, have a storage container and a tent in the rear of their property where classes are held. Classes start at 5:30 a.m. and run through the late afternoon.
At both the June 3 and 17 meetings, several dozen people spoke both for and against their application, with 15 people speaking on it at the most recent meeting.
Jeffrey Becker of Cedar Hill Road told commission members that as popular as Strong on Center may be, it shouldn’t be approved because it’s not a home business.
“These people have spent time and money building something great that doesn’t fit here,” he said, adding that he operates a home business himself. “No one would ever know because no one comes and no one goes. It’s just me and the Internet.”
Becker also said the commission has to take into account the town’s reservoirs when considering applications.
“The water supply trumps everything because once you screw up, there’s no replacement,” he said. “Development begets development, and that is exactly what we shouldn’t have if we want to protect the water supply.”
“I really think the commission needs to vote no on this because it doesn’t fit, it’s a commercial operation, it has traffic, implications, it is interfering with the neighbor’s peace and quiet, and that it’s really a problem,” he said.
McGovern has said most of the studio’s activity is located in the back of the property, deliberately situated to be as unobtrusive as possible for the neighbors. And sound tests indicate that passing traffic on Center Road is louder than any activity from the business.
Redding Road resident Beverlee Dacey said the commission should base its decision on zoning rules and regulations, not on emotions or feelings, referring to the fact the studio had been operating without the required permit until town officials informed the owners in 2022 that one was necessary.
“When you are dealing with parking issues, when you are dealing with wetlands issues, when you are dealing with all those issues that are out there, everyone else in town respects them and follows them,” she said. “For those who don’t follow the rules, the town expends little oversight over the violations.”
Gail Altieri of Bohus Lane said the business is good for the community.
“We appreciate the serenity and closeness of our community, and there are a few special places in town that just seem to fit here naturally,” she said, such as Greisers, Silverman’s Farm and the Bluebird Inn.
“I feel that Strong on Center, with its holistic approach to wellness, is where like-minded people can meet in a nurturing environment,” she said. “It is a natural fit for our community,”
For Steve Kidney, who lives on Center Road across from Strong on Center, it doesn’t fit in his quality of life.
“This in no way falls under a home business,” he said. “A home business doesn’t have over 20 parking spaces with room for over 20 clients to come and go throughout the day. If you approve this, that means a home business can have 20 or more parking spaces.”
“As far as I’m concerned, if you approve this, we might as well put a sign on the Town Hall door saying ‘open for commercial business,'” he said. “If you want commercial businesses, we should come together as a town and decide where to put a commercial zone. The decisions you are making are for the future, they’re not for just this one business.”
The yoga and health and wellness center is a benefit to Easton, said Maria Rosa Rockoff of Tersana Drive.
“That place is immaculate, cleaner than 50% of homes in town,” she said. “I’ve been going there since 2019, and it was the only place open in town (during the pandemic).”
There is nowhere else in town where adults can go for a workout, she said.
“Everything at the community center is aimed at young children,” she said, while Strong on Center has adult clients as well as children. I have made numerous friends there,” she said. “It’s a place where we can all come together.”
Mary Colacurcio of Marsh Road agreed.
“My husband and my kids have all worked out, got nutritional advice and done yoga with Kristen and Gary,” she said. “It’s hard to explain, it’s an experience you don’t get anywhere else. It does really bring people together. It’s not what one would think in terms of a commercial business.”
“I would not say it’s a commercial business, it’s grassroots, homegrown, nature-filled, all about health and connection. It is reaching a lot of different people in our community,” she said.
The commission will meet July 1 at 7 p.m., when the application will again be on the agenda.
Commission chairman John Foley said there will likely be a vote that night on the application. You can read the minutes of the June 3 meeting and previous meetings here. The agenda for the July 1 meeting will be posted on the town website when it is available.
