Jan. 10—OLD LYME — After the Zoning Commission's second denial of an application for a 31,500-square-foot self-storage facility on Shore Road, members this week are again considering tightening restrictions on the type of business described by neighbors as out of place in the beach community.

On Monday, the commission voted 3-2 to reject the second application from Kids Realty and Pond Road LLC Ventures, whose officers are Sal Russo and Christopher Calvanese, for 250 Shore Road. The proposal called for three buildings with 12 units each on 3.7 acres. Each building would be 28 feet high.

Chairman Paul Orzel said he still considers the facility a better candidate for an industrial park. He said the possibility of hazardous materials coming from heavy equipment being stored and possibly maintained in the facility could harm the environment, while fire marshal Dave Roberge raised concerns that public safety could be jeopardized.

The applicants last month addressed the fire marshal's concerns, but members said they had not been updated whether Roberge was satisfied with the proposal.

Roberge on Wednesday said he did not have time to review the applicant's response to his concerns.

The first proposal was rejected in May after members indicated concerns about access for emergency services and fears that the facility, with its 14-foot garage doors on each unit, was better suited for an industrial park.

The applicant submitted the second proposal to the commission on July 10, three days after they appealed the original rejection to the state Superior Court. Revisions included smaller, 12-foot doors and a sloped roof with dormers meant to make the building more visually appealing.

The commission heard from project sponsors and opponents three times since October.

Marjorie Shansky, attorney for the applicants, declined to comment on the decision without consulting her clients. But she confirmed their appeal of the first denial currently pending in the state Superior Court is "alive and well."

Commission member Tammy Tinnerello pointed to the section in the regulations that says developments "shall be in harmony" with the neighborhood character.

"I know it's zoned commercial and you should be able to do what you want, but in this case it does not fit in the beach community character," she said.

Among the two members who voted in support of the proposal, Mike Miller said a self-storage facility would generate tax revenue without the residential cost implications of more children in the school system and more residents requiring police and fire services.