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Planning commission approves multiuse trail through former railroad corridor
Summary
The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special exception and site plan to build a multiuse recreational trail largely along the former Naugatuck Valley Railroad bed, linking McDermott Avenue and Newfield Road with a short off-rail connection across city-owned parcels and an easement through a private plaza.
The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on June 25 approved a special exception (SE-25-3) and site plan (No. 1565) to construct a multiuse recreational trail that will run between McDermott Avenue and Newfield Road using the old Naugatuck Valley Railroad corridor and short connecting segments across city-owned parcels and a private-plaza easement.
The commission’s vote follows staff testimony and documentation including wetlands approval and engineering plans submitted by the city engineer. In a staff summary, Jeremy Leifer read materials describing the proposal and noted the trail would pass through property at 50 Goodwin Street, briefly use an easement from 681 Main Street, and shift onto 261 Red Mountain Avenue to avoid rebuilding wetlands crossings. Leifer said the project is included as part of the broader Sue Grossman Greenway route into downtown Torrington and that the Inland Wetlands Commission had issued permit WP-25-9.
Why it matters: the project repurposes city-owned and adjacent lands for a public recreational and transportation amenity, ties into the city’s greenway planning, and requires coordination on parking, buffering and landscaping because the route crosses business and residential zoning districts.
Key details: the submission included roadway and trail plans dated June 2025; staff noted there are no minimum parking requirements for the trail use in the zoning table but recommended showing screening and buffering where the trail and parking meet adjacent residences. Staff also recommended a landscaping plan per section 5.11 of the zoning regulations and full-cutoff lighting per section 5.17. The Inland Wetlands Commission’s approval was offered as a favorable report for this application.
The commission attached standard conditions and administrative requirements to the approval, including the filing of final plan mylars, engineer seals, and a certificate of special exception on the land records under Connecticut General Statutes section 8-3c before construction starts.
Commission action: the commission voted to approve SE-25-3 and site plan 1565 with the staff-recommended conditions; the motion was made by Donna Greco and seconded by Diane Carroll and the commission moved approval after deliberation. The record shows no public opposition at the hearing.
Next steps: the applicant must submit the required paper and mylar plan copies, obtain zoning and grading permits, and file the certificate of special exception on the land records before work begins.
