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Commission reviews draft zoning map, schedules map hearing and discusses watershed overlay and helipad rules
Summary
Winchester planners presented a revised zoning map with several parcel reclassifications; the commission scheduled a public hearing for the map and opened discussion about a watershed overlay for stormwater control and rules for helipads/heliports.
Planning staff presented a revised draft zoning map to the Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission on April 14 that includes several targeted reclassifications: the former KFC parcel along Route 44 moved into Town Gateway, a single-family lot on Old New Hartford Road revised to match surrounding rural-residential zoning, multiple lots along Overlook Drive moved out of the Highland Lake District and into Town Single Family, and parcel-line adjustments around the marina were corrected to reflect recent approvals.
Commissioners agreed the draft is ready for public review and asked staff to circulate required referrals. The commission scheduled a public hearing on the updated zoning map for June 9 to allow regional (COG) and other referrals to be completed.
Commissioners and staff also discussed a broader approach to lake protection. Staff proposed exploring a watershed-overlay zone that would apply stormwater and low-impact development (LID) standards across the Highland Lake watershed rather than relying only on the parcel-level Highland Lake District. Staff said the overlay could tie to existing LID rules and noted the district does not currently cover the entire watershed. Several commissioners and the Highland Lake Watershed Association representative supported pursuing that idea and asked staff to return with sample language and the association’s input.
Separately, the commission discussed regulating helipads and related operations. Commissioners distinguished private, occasional helicopter landings from commercial operations and noted the town would be regulating a physical pad or landing facility rather than aircraft operations governed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Commissioners said they would consider making helipads an accessory use subject to a special permit with parameters such as hours, number of landings per year and distance from sensitive uses; staff was asked to research examples and draft potential regulations covering both private and commercial scenarios.
Other procedural items from the meeting: staff said the modular-home special-permit application for 150 Ashley Road will have a public hearing April 28; an application to convert 39 Wetmore Avenue to a two-family use was discussed and was tentatively scheduled for a June 9 hearing pending a required survey from the applicant.
