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Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission sets hearing dates, tables several site plans and discusses West Hill solar concerns
Summary
At its May 21 meeting the commission set public hearings for zoning regulation amendments and a multi-use trail, approved tabling or continuing multiple site-plan items and discussed sending comments about overhead wires and screening for the West Hill solar project to the Connecticut Siting Council.
The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on May 21 set multiple public hearing dates, tabled several pending site-plan items and discussed comments it will send on a proposed West Hill solar project to the Connecticut Siting Council.
The commission set public hearings for proposed zoning regulation amendments to Section 5.130.4 (required number of off-street parking spaces) and amendments to Sections 8.2 and 8.3 (special exception procedures, public hearing procedures) for July 16, 2025. Commissioners voted to set the dates during the meeting; the motions carried with an affirmative voice vote.
The commission also set a public hearing for a special exception and site plan application for a multi-use recreational trail at 50 Goodwin Street for June 11, 2025.
Several pending site-plan matters were tabled to allow additional review or to await wetlands or technical reports: a site-plan modification for 117 Water Street was tabled for one meeting; a parking/stormwater reconfiguration for New Hope Baptist Church (First Street) was continued to June 11 pending wetlands and engineering comments; and a two-year material-processing and reapproval application for an earthen and construction-material recycling facility on Winston Road (Site Plan 1567) was also tabled pending wetlands and engineering reviews.
Commissioners discussed the West Hill solar project and agreed to prepare comments for the Connecticut Siting Council. City Planner Jeremy Leifert said the commission's primary concerns are the line of overhead utility poles along the project access road and the need for more vegetative screening near the site entry. "One of our recommendations would be to look into burying those wires," Leifert said. Commissioners also noted that the applicant had been receptive to buffering and other changes in prior projects.
Other procedural actions during the meeting included approval of the April 16, 2025, minutes and routine updates on zoning and blight enforcement. The commission adjourned at about 8:30 p.m.
Why it matters: The set hearings commit the commission to a schedule for public review of zoning amendments and the Goodwin Street trail; tabling certain site plans reflects outstanding technical reviews (wetlands, engineering and fire access) that affect whether and how projects proceed. The West Hill solar discussion signals the commission's intent to assert community concerns to the state siting body about utility placement and screening.
All public hearing schedules, application materials and staff memos are available at the City of Torrington Land Use office and on the city website.
