[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6532904,"mediaKeyId","3803994-07d82ec6111620ad663ab0fb3f779e9f","parentId",3803994,"title","Planning commission continues public hearing on McCall Foundation request for licensed group care at 25 Hotchkiss Place","audioSeconds",4355,"startMs",99000,"endMs",4454000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3803994-07d82ec6111620ad663ab0fb3f779e9f&start=99&end=4454","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3803994-07d82ec6111620ad663ab0fb3f779e9f/thumbnail_99000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6532904/Torrington/Northwest-Hills-County/Connecticut/Planning-commission-continues-public-hearing-on-McCall-Foundation-request-for-licensed-group-care-at-25-Hotchkiss-Place","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532904-68171ae56050e43d47c479f5cb2d4e09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168832&Signature=IRC1uSJ6xKssOY1-eXGZkgB5cZscKeWiQT1rKOrou1Ofj9MqajJtHEg9N9TmXrfxVdmVeMtN223xO5UKaqmztHRVPBZXapsrIgwmnQUDLkXGx9HsOgALVW-yxYs~y6KZgSyX1gVNUOLNcz83mOGUBiiENWTd5PI~~~Ch8rGlNnrz48mZrRkISxITlkLlpxw9rqgz8lQT53W~pY15RhRQncZ4ERkn5LLfLMZdHKXXcius4lQXPEyPUkpPiVI6wtPOvop~i4F9rH~kDolrarNA4YUyP-0OA7wbeMeEOK0JnUPlS5EjPmg20uwOhLJv0K5xyQMPcvNn-5SWV6QelhHBBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Torrington CT","date","2025-06-12T13:46:04Z","article","The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on June 11 held a continued public hearing on a special exception application from McCall Foundation to operate a licensed group care facility at 25 Hotchkiss Place.

McCall representative Martin Connor, AICP, told the commission the proposal would formalize clinical services inside the house and requested approval for a group care facility for up to 11 residents, a reduction from the 13 people who have been living at the property, according to the applicant.

The application matters because it would change how the property is regulated — moving clinical services inside the home would require licensing by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and subject the house to DPH standards rather than the looser oversight that applied when some services were provided off-site.

At the hearing McCall president and CEO Maria Coutant Skinner described the proposed model, which she said would mirror McCall’s licensed program at 127 Midget Avenue and would operate with a minimum of two staff on site at all times. \"We require that two staff at this level of care are on at all times,\" she said. She told the commission that clients would not have vehicles and that the organization expects four required off-street parking spaces, two staff vehicles and a program van to serve the site.

City planner Jeremy Leifert and McCall representatives cited the Torrington Police Department record and internal oversight as part of the record: police calls tied to the property totaled 31 over five years, with officers responding on-site for 13 of those calls and four calls classified as disturbances or investigations. Skinner said McCall’s internal records did not show incidents of residents harassing neighbors and emphasized clinical oversight and standards of care.

Neighbors spoke in opposition, listing long-standing concerns about on-site population, visitors, parking and public safety. Neighbor Nella Stoltz told the commission her family had experienced safety-related incidents and concerns about people loitering and unknown visitors. \"It's lovely listening to this ideal picture,\" Stoltz said, \"but the reality is it's not ideal.\"

Commissioners questioned the applicant on supervision, visitation policies, rooming and licensing. Architect Michael Bow and clinical staff Joy Pandola (chief clinical officer) addressed questions about bedroom counts, square-footage requirements and how the licensed program differs from the current mixed-model arrangement. Pandola explained the proposed licensed program would commonly serve residents at a later stage of treatment and include in-house clinical services, employment supports and community reintegration work.

No final action was taken at the meeting. After questions, additional public testimony and staff recommendations, the commission closed the public hearing for the application and chose to continue deliberations to the next meeting so staff can finalize the record and commissioners can review outstanding materials.

What’s next: The commission closed the public hearing on June 11 and signaled it will resume deliberations at a later meeting; state licensing, building and fire approvals remain conditions for any allowed use. The commission must issue a decision within the statutory timeframe after closing the hearing.

Votes and formal actions: No permit or zoning decision was made on June 11; the public hearing was closed and deliberation was deferred to a subsequent meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 11, 2025 | Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on June 11 held a continued public hearing on a special exception application from McCall Foundation to operate a licensed group care facility at 25 Hotchkiss Place.","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},6532889,"Commission appoints Nate Nardi Cyrus as certified zoning enforcement official (CEO)",75,4924000,4999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3803994-07d82ec6111620ad663ab0fb3f779e9f&start=4924&end=4999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3803994-07d82ec6111620ad663ab0fb3f779e9f/thumbnail_4924000.jpg","/articles/6532889/Torrington/Northwest-Hills-County/Connecticut/Commission-appoints-Nate-Nardi-Cyrus-as-certified-zoning-enforcement-official-CEO","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532889-8ff00ae53d11689788f3407e0959c9cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168832&Signature=PQReVPonRryNsfF93UkItGcT3SeFgBl312uQInFcKhf5MzqXX0AKGfPpm8BItqVpJl4ax2AWUyEk3gwU-q93hr6ajiNeKYlfTXYrloJL6ssogqpe4bVUaBTQxcg~L3NDp6SN9wkOQrIx~Jj0Qg9rRJNOB1Ll5CHraSj24xMJjg2b-Zge7LHgRgh4GM68-cq0lVeBbY~jZ2PEOXSM8RCzybKT~OqNJ6wNKM4niGTwYCkaP~RxqFeuMTsucAYFkNVeg2KXf9AtmHh7c~OF1JlBghJ8QUfEb3Q9qFBv26upNTF-aYv1WKvEAUV14O9kjsL6Y3NOizEDQ4Ik0-ExQ7oS1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on June 11 appointed Assistant City Planner Nate Nardi Cyrus as the commission's certified zoning enforcement official (CEO) following confirmation that he completed state-required certification.

City planner and staff explained that recent statutory changes affected appointment timing and that Cyrus had been operating under interim supervision until certification was finalized. The commission recorded a motion to appoint Cyrus as CEO; the motion carried by voice vote.

What’s next: Cyrus will assume CEO duties for zoning enforcement and permit administration; staff noted that certification removes the need for interim arrangements previously used while the city waited for his credentialing.

Votes and formal actions: Motion to appoint Nate Nardi Cyrus carried by voice vote during the meeting.","The Planning and Zoning Commission appointed assistant planner Nate Nardi Cyrus as the commission's certified zoning enforcement official after he completed required certification.",{"_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},6532894,"Planning commission approves revised site plan for New Hope Baptist Church parking, landscaping and stormwater",1262,3714000,4976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3803994-07d82ec6111620ad663ab0fb3f779e9f&start=3714&end=4976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3803994-07d82ec6111620ad663ab0fb3f779e9f/thumbnail_3714000.jpg","/articles/6532894/Torrington/Northwest-Hills-County/Connecticut/Planning-commission-approves-revised-site-plan-for-New-Hope-Baptist-Church-parking-landscaping-and-stormwater","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532894-0c8b61f5114c7704b38925bdb6f9f080/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168832&Signature=DONh7gNY-0BE0Vbm5Qg55qvGGyojcJvBGQ1h~0gnl5-TEQGbWNozJfA~4LGCt3SBQ3mKF3rz5l1GUe1SrDU4w5IJ3kCUKUgLy8eCdozsBXMi9KHcEO3AKJZUXkv4C~m-wzqbXWcG9evwpuVthsE91AJwfZOvQFU-h7XpHuvu0nyEsdsi7Ylh24YGnXq60yEeW80w~21T~yx1I1B0aCcJlP0dOcTvOGzSuRvnLvbpSTvD5VD~EG3apL4C9Fe1E4KLLNFe~gJ7ywegFCpyHsMmEmGblfGbXDk~tUXUedojM-oqWzD5uYVyRpyiSvGb1~OC9tE53oPS-2kGBDSFmIaakA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission approved a revised site plan on June 11 for New Hope Baptist Church at 371 Pinewoods Road that reconfigures the parking layout, updates landscaping and revises stormwater management.

Applicant Alan Borghese (Borghese Building & Engineering) and the church presented changes requested by staff and commissioners: a modified westerly curb cut for better fire access, plantings revised to native species and adjustments to drainage connections. Assistant city planner submitted a staff review noting compliance with parking and bulk regulations, and Inland Wetlands Commission staff provided a favorable wetlands report for the project.

The approved plan shows 136 paved parking spaces, including seven ADA-accessible spaces, plus 35 overflow gravel spaces to the rear, and requires standard permits and conditions. The commission approved the site plan with conditions: final landscaping plan updates to use native species and meet street-front planting requirements; identification and protection of trees over 12-inch DBH in the disturbance area; anti-tracking measures at the entrance during construction; submission of erosion control bonds with grading permits; and filing of final plan copies and a mylar of key sheets with signatures before permits are issued.

The approval was moved and seconded at the meeting and passed by the commission. Staff will process permit issuance once the required permits, revised planting plans and sureties are submitted.

What’s next: The applicant must file final signed plan copies and the required permits and bonds before site work begins. The city building, fire and other departments will sign off on construction permits once conditions are met.","The commission approved Site Plan 1566 to reconfigure parking, add landscaping and revise stormwater controls at 371 Pinewoods Road for New Hope Baptist Church, subject to landscaping updates, permits and erosion controls.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6532899,"Commission hears plan for 10-foot multiuse trail linking Goodwin Street to city greenway; discussion continued pending wetlands review",353,4484000,4837000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3803994-07d82ec6111620ad663ab0fb3f779e9f&start=4484&end=4837","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3803994-07d82ec6111620ad663ab0fb3f779e9f/thumbnail_4484000.jpg","/articles/6532899/Torrington/Northwest-Hills-County/Connecticut/Commission-hears-plan-for-10-foot-multiuse-trail-linking-Goodwin-Street-to-city-greenway-discussion-continued-pending-wetlands-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532899-fd7fb7d97094f6e729489df50e72d7a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168832&Signature=i1QXBBNlak5ca7TBb3~ofvbMOm7O4ROXV3pVAVdflNyh4YxzFgTtfw~eC49VC6Ddczx--MtrQzygY-mJRpbnINdoxOkuRnjBZUAud~tek8pQWkuO4KDePBrZTy6IgDhcOA7wQC1PcUjQV7A2k9QUdalkjWX12FOJnqpEB5SOd3aWVsCYdwz8IRBdDM721X-GPxS3UFblbp~7H6ihNzmYcJDDJZC1xFHRTC~y1awyOJI9XVkcVcueVfIDBNblLgjdYcXgVCVcI6HZQdnadfBVxQcTiIiyPhuzhh4BJGDQOklBGLZP04OjkZzOChCd99lFDrbvI37RfvKTQhCAP-k57w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on June 11 for a proposal to construct a 10-foot-wide paved multiuse recreational trail that would extend along an abandoned railway corridor from Goodwin Street north toward Newfield Road and provide a southern connection into Prospect Street bike lanes.

City engineer Paul Cousins presented the design, describing a primarily paved 10-foot trail that would run through a wooded corridor, include a small five-car parking area at the Goodwin Street trailhead, cross a short wetland with two culverts, and use a secured access easement through the Ocean State Job Lot plaza. Cousins said the project is intended to improve neighborhood connectivity, support future access to a city-owned 10-acre parcel off Red Mountain Avenue and dovetail with planned McDermott Avenue roadway upgrades.

Cousins described the environmental steps: \"A short segment of the trail crosses a small wetland where two culverts will be installed to maintain natural drainage,\" he said, and added that the design emphasizes preservation of vegetation, limited lighting and minimal signage. He said the city will coordinate erosion and stormwater controls and that the project is partially funded by a Recreational Trails grant from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) with a city match; the city will also incorporate McDermott Avenue reconstruction work as part of the project match.

Public commenters who live near the corridor generally supported reclaiming unused rail property for recreation. Robert Starr, who lives in the area, said he has long wanted a safe place to walk and would use the trail. Other residents raised concerns about existing homeless encampments, the stability and access across the old railway bridge at Newfield Road, liability for easement segments that cross private plaza property and snow removal and winter maintenance.

Commissioners asked for detail on the Ocean State easement, liability and maintenance; Cousins said the city is negotiating a secured access easement and would provide fencing and barriers to keep trail users in the corridor and protect adjacent private property. He said Ocean State had indicated approval in concept and that an electric-utility easement held by Eversource adds complexity to the legal work. Cousins also said the city will request the Inland Wetlands Commission to review the culvert work and is awaiting that approval.

No final approval was granted. The commission tabled action pending inland wetlands approval and receipt of finalized access-easement language for the Ocean State parcel and other technical materials. The planner noted the wetlands application is pending and advised the commission to await that record before moving to approval.

What’s next: The project team expects to finalize easement paperwork, complete the wetlands review and put the project out to bid; Cousins said construction could start this fall or next spring depending on scheduling and that completion could be targeted for the following summer. The commission formally tabled further action until the wetlands matter is resolved and requisite easement documents are in hand.","City engineer presented a proposed 10-foot multiuse paved trail using an abandoned rail corridor to connect Goodwin Street and Prospect Street; commissioners and residents discussed easements, parking, wetlands and maintenance. The commission tabled final action pending inland wetlands approval and final easement language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission continues public hearing on McCall Foundation request for licensed group care at 25 Hotchkiss Place

Commission appoints Nate Nardi Cyrus as certified zoning enforcement official (CEO)

Planning commission approves revised site plan for New Hope Baptist Church parking, landscaping and stormwater

Commission hears plan for 10-foot multiuse trail linking Goodwin Street to city greenway; discussion continued pending wetlands review