Simsbury Zoning Commission sets priorities for ordinance updates, flags ridgeline, signs and EV rules

At its April meeting the Simsbury Zoning Commission reviewed a prioritized list of action items tied to the town's 2024 Plan of Conservation and Development and directed staff to begin work on several near-term zoning changes, including ridgeline protections, temporary-sign regulations and clarifying electric-vehicle infrastructure requirements.

The commission said the items matter because they affect development clarity, public viewsheds and how the town meets new state requirements. Commissioners were told the town budget includes $25,000 (pending referendum) to start a townwide zoning regulation update; staff recommended using that consultant funding for the broader rewrite while the commission pursues selected, shorter-term fixes internally.

Commissioners and staff agreed to focus first on a short list of action items rather than waiting for a full rewrite that could take 12'18 months. Near-term priorities discussed included: - Ridgeline and viewshed protections: staff described crafting zoning standards (buffers, height or distance limits and view-shed considerations) for both east and west ridgelines, noting the POCD calls for visual protection. - Temporary sign…