Torrington planning commission renews O&G quarry permit with conditions

The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on July 16 approved a two-year renewal of a special exception and site plan that will allow O&G Industries to continue excavation, processing and accessory retail sales at parcels on Winstead Road.

The renewal covers combined operations at 3217 and 3345 Winstead Road and carries multiple waivers and conditions including a required merger of the two quarry parcels, fencing for steep slopes, bond amounts for restoration and explicit blasting and notification requirements.

Commissioner Donna Greco moved to approve the special exception (SE 25-4) and site plan (15-68); the motion passed on a voice vote. Jeremy Leiford, the city planner, presented staff findings and recommended conditions that the commission adopted. Leiford’s memorandum recorded the proposed maximum excavation areas for the two properties and described required waivers under the city’s updated excavation rules.

Richard Warren, representing O&G Industries, said the company seeks renewal of an existing permit and that operations “are identical in operations to what had been previously approved,” noting the parcels were previously permitted and have been worked for decades. Kenneth Ricca, a professional engineer and licensed land surveyor for Ricca Associates, described the company’s plan to integrate the former Haines Aggregates areas into a single operation and to use a top-down benching method for back-slope work. Ricca said, “the benches are…