[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6534972,"mediaKeyId","3445607-db90fcdc82391774bd2674bd8c8fc060","parentId",3445607,"title","Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission sets hearing dates, tables several site plans and discusses West Hill solar concerns","audioSeconds",714,"startMs",2251000,"endMs",2965000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3445607-db90fcdc82391774bd2674bd8c8fc060&start=2251&end=2965","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3445607-db90fcdc82391774bd2674bd8c8fc060/thumbnail_2251000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534972/Torrington/Northwest-Hills-County/Connecticut/Torrington-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-sets-hearing-dates-tables-several-site-plans-and-discusses-West-Hill-solar-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534972-4547ecc8e09e5660b4602b67d0544c53/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440266&Signature=Tue~rs-i9RbQe81PmMg6h1g6sklfkofyv-QkGJAUFnqY9k1izqggHqbCRcv8H-pTUp-BYqVxvAC1IWQPkjiy133xQx~F2hpIRpUPJw-HO2WpbvTaL5sbndjLOoWhDW-YBLvmuLT8XwwHvhq-t9uwA-WhLuQ5TjUp29n~E7cxcZOur9oFl6u3kUe9kqjYLMbgh0TzfH8lsjTjv637xPSpfzkU9AswXZTI~JYnJiyepIXEp2zqXpA682aZdKPdO2FqXiheGX29O9nNRR94OvG92vDjZj8XWw244B2j1hyAVA-0S964EhQPuxGMg7585wJD70xi4aRzzKmVjeNoXH9PkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Torrington CT","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on May 21 set multiple public hearing dates, tabled several pending site-plan items and discussed comments it will send on a proposed West Hill solar project to the Connecticut Siting Council.

The commission set public hearings for proposed zoning regulation amendments to Section 5.130.4 (required number of off-street parking spaces) and amendments to Sections 8.2 and 8.3 (special exception procedures, public hearing procedures) for July 16, 2025. Commissioners voted to set the dates during the meeting; the motions carried with an affirmative voice vote.

The commission also set a public hearing for a special exception and site plan application for a multi-use recreational trail at 50 Goodwin Street for June 11, 2025.

Several pending site-plan matters were tabled to allow additional review or to await wetlands or technical reports: a site-plan modification for 117 Water Street was tabled for one meeting; a parking/stormwater reconfiguration for New Hope Baptist Church (First Street) was continued to June 11 pending wetlands and engineering comments; and a two-year material-processing and reapproval application for an earthen and construction-material recycling facility on Winston Road (Site Plan 1567) was also tabled pending wetlands and engineering reviews.

Commissioners discussed the West Hill solar project and agreed to prepare comments for the Connecticut Siting Council. City Planner Jeremy Leifert said the commission's primary concerns are the line of overhead utility poles along the project access road and the need for more vegetative screening near the site entry. \"One of our recommendations would be to look into burying those wires,\" Leifert said. Commissioners also noted that the applicant had been receptive to buffering and other changes in prior projects.

Other procedural actions during the meeting included approval of the April 16, 2025, minutes and routine updates on zoning and blight enforcement. The commission adjourned at about 8:30 p.m.

Why it matters: The set hearings commit the commission to a schedule for public review of zoning amendments and the Goodwin Street trail; tabling certain site plans reflects outstanding technical reviews (wetlands, engineering and fire access) that affect whether and how projects proceed. The West Hill solar discussion signals the commission's intent to assert community concerns to the state siting body about utility placement and screening.

All public hearing schedules, application materials and staff memos are available at the City of Torrington Land Use office and on the city website.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 21, 2025 | Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 21 meeting the commission set public hearings for zoning regulation amendments and a multi-use trail, approved tabling or continuing multiple site-plan items and discussed sending comments about overhead wires and screening for the West Hill solar project to the Connecticut Siting Council.","taxTitle","Torrington, Northwest Hills County, Connecticut","taxId",52777,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534977,"New Hope Baptist Church proposes new parking layout, commissioners table review to June 11",394,2350000,2744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3445607-db90fcdc82391774bd2674bd8c8fc060&start=2350&end=2744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3445607-db90fcdc82391774bd2674bd8c8fc060/thumbnail_2350000.jpg","/articles/6534977/Torrington/Northwest-Hills-County/Connecticut/New-Hope-Baptist-Church-proposes-new-parking-layout-commissioners-table-review-to-June-11","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534977-57550aab55945c5aae0c08f5272db7b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440266&Signature=CY4uACh2UHUtEA1S1PB5IzW0fM4sTZQyzKkyQQhn8sWw-8FqfwyS4zRHgQcPhZRG-mPpndX9Xs1hhBpwh1TxT3pByDntzWThJ9ZAju6wrlfs4YnbCjLek1D~p8E~u1LEGG4QETNgy-65nUj~bptkYiJiNdhzR-em6Onzxq~Gwr8CBUyp-5EzwvdgYm8wbYqm9NqwcfpL~ZCM4kP2h4hOfQxSgmCuysRYb-Zh7eUkejQSynF2kKrm7sOrThuzwDpZZBQy3JWpdOPvvAR6Afmc2~lzOn6sLoI53msxHj8FcU6DtAS5xNPZKnIk~Okc1iTwVXXe80xZxvnxwDsQQhRifg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alan Borgesi, an engineer representing New Hope Baptist Church, presented a site-plan modification to reconfigure parking and stormwater controls at the church property on First Street during the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting May 21.

Borgesi said the parcel is in a LB (local business) zone and covers about 4.5 acres. \"The parking requirement is 45 cars,\" he told the commission, and the new plan proposes 35 parking spaces with a future overflow area that could add about 34 gravel spaces. He said the design includes a detention pond to manage increased impervious area and that, with the pond, runoff would be less than pre-construction conditions.

Justin Farmer, administrative pastor at New Hope Baptist Church, said the church has been renovating the property since moving there in 2020 and is experiencing growth that prompted a parking redesign. Landscape architect Robert Stevens described a plan that preserves nearly all existing trees except four damaged specimens and adds native plantings, red maples and Sargent crabapples along the road frontage.

Commission staff and the engineer flagged additional items that must be resolved before final action: a wetlands report is required and the commission asked the applicant to verify fire apparatus turning radii and revise any access layouts that do not meet the fire department standard. \"If it doesn't meet the fire apparatus radius, we will adjust it,\" Borgesi said. Planning staff said they were awaiting final written comments from the city engineer and a wetlands review.

Commissioners tabled the site-plan review and set the matter for continuation on June 11, 2025, to allow the applicant to supply the outstanding reports and any required plan revisions.

Why it matters: The proposal would reorganize parking and on-site drainage for a growing church and includes landscaping and stormwater improvements; wetlands and emergency-access compliance are outstanding requirements that determine whether the plan can move to approval.

The commission asked the applicant to attend the June 11 meeting if final reports are ready so commissioners can address any remaining questions in person.","New Hope Baptist Church presented a reconfigured parking and stormwater plan for its First Street property; the Planning and Zoning Commission asked for wetlands and fire-turning-radius checks and tabled the application to June 11, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534981,"Torrington planners continue public hearing on McCall Foundation request for group care facility at 25 Hotchkiss Place",3445,156000,3601000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3445607-db90fcdc82391774bd2674bd8c8fc060&start=156&end=3601","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3445607-db90fcdc82391774bd2674bd8c8fc060/thumbnail_156000.jpg","/articles/6534981/Torrington/Northwest-Hills-County/Connecticut/Torrington-planners-continue-public-hearing-on-McCall-Foundation-request-for-group-care-facility-at-25-Hotchkiss-Place","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534981-3b476eacc645f8f9d2d9192cbe02f477/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440266&Signature=lacdS4lopKWAlDLHo~fS6sG94e4aBa99XKiH9wPQI2PUFtPu0CJNCqZIqDdRdKwxosl7zws4WdEz-WyK1F2gQ525dW7zindbnKvJ-dhhrcFTzRuWjbwSfJ6IhwdwZ1aS~d8kp4ZuPvR7Km-if5hk6W9ERYfz~jMMliPbWe8MIwiXuBmzOfAz4jrOTAWfaZFc8HLZo9mQxBO-Tv~PpqZ6wNiLgFbgA0B1-GCk1DV4srZXGvdhl~YBpE3xMhHRDnuNyEJfHtQ9JapLdRO-VmQuQhooyNNx-w2X9Xo0xTvmtG6vTU~9D1NVLsANG2~2qs-q0f~H4smmFLUjv7bLlATkhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission continued a public hearing to June 11, 2025, on a special exception application from McCall Foundation to operate a group care facility at 25 Hotchkiss Place.

Martin Connor, AICP, representing the applicant, told the commission the proposal would allow clinical and counseling services to be provided inside the house and that McCall does not plan exterior renovations other than a handicap parking space near the entrance. \"This property is more than double the size of the properties in the zone,\" Connor said, and McCall has owned the house for more than 20 years.

The proposed program will require licensing from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, which Connor and Joy Pandola, identified as McCall's chief clinical officer, said limits capacity by square-footage requirements. \"This will reduce the 13 bed capacity to 11 bed capacity with this change,\" Pandola said. She said the program is a late-stage residential recovery program, staffed 24/7, and that the facility will have a minimum of two staff on duty per shift.

Neighbors spoke both for and against the application during the hearing. Supporters said McCall has rehabilitated similar properties and provided services that help residents reintegrate. \"McCall has done great things in Torrington,\" said Alan Borghese, a longtime resident. Dana Coelho, a board member who said Central Naugatuck Valley HELP merged with McCall two years ago, expressed support for the proposal.

Several neighbors urged denial or expressed concern about neighborhood impacts. Nella Stoltz, who said she lives at 37 Hotchkiss Place, described repeated incidents she attributed to the house, including a resident allegedly staring into her home and alleged connections between a resident and a local overdose; she said those experiences made her feel unsafe. Other residents described on-street parking, trash and cigarette litter, late-night noise and multiple police responses near the property.

Connor and Pandola responded to neighbor concerns by describing McCall's incident tracking and responsiveness. \"We track every incident in our facilities,\" Pandola said. She added that the facility's most recent police response directly related to a client was more than a year ago and that the proposed program will have a different referral base and a higher level of clinical oversight than some previous iterations: \"We're actually decreasing the amount of beds at this program and it's a different program. Folks will not be coming from the Department of Corrections. They will be coming from other treatment facilities.\"

Commissioners asked detailed questions about staffing, shifts, transportation and program operations. Pandola said residents at this level of care generally do not have personal vehicles and that programming and visits would be limited to the facility's residents and their approved visitors. She said the average length of stay is about three months.

No final decision was taken. Chair Greg Meeley said the commission would continue the public hearing to June 11, 2025, to allow staff to incorporate comments and produce a memo. The commission also noted written submissions from multiple neighbors were added to the record during the meeting.

Why it matters: The commission must balance state licensing rules, neighborhood impacts and the city's zoning standards as it considers whether to grant a special exception for a residential treatment program in a small residential neighborhood. The hearing drew substantial turnout, with detailed factual claims from both neighbors and the applicant about program operations, past incidents and mitigation measures.

The hearing will reconvene June 11, 2025, at the City Hall Auditorium, Room 218. The record includes written statements submitted by neighbors and testimony from McCall Foundation staff and multiple residents.","The Planning and Zoning Commission heard hours of testimony for and against a special exception for McCall Foundation to run a licensed group care facility for up to 11 beds at 25 Hotchkiss Place and continued the public hearing to June 11, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission sets hearing dates, tables several site plans and discusses West Hill solar concerns

New Hope Baptist Church proposes new parking layout, commissioners table review to June 11

Torrington planners continue public hearing on McCall Foundation request for group care facility at 25 Hotchkiss Place