Shelton commission keeps public hearings open on proposal to rezone land for 20‑home cluster and revise setback rules

The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission on April 23 continued public hearings on three related applications that together would rezone several parcels near Constitution Boulevard to R‑3, amend setback language in the city's zoning regulations, and allow a special exception for a 20‑lot cluster single‑family development under the Design Residential District (DRD).

The three linked items are applications 2505 (zone change to R‑3), 2506 (text amendment to Section 35, Table 1 of the Shelton Planning and Zoning Regulations), and 2507 (special exception for 20 cluster single‑family homes). After more than an hour of presentations and public comment, Commissioner Ticky moved to keep the hearings open; Commissioner Kelly seconded the motion. The commission voted 6–0 to continue the hearings and set the items for a future meeting (the applicant and staff indicated the continuation would be scheduled for the May 21 meeting and that the public will be notified electronically).

Why it matters: The developer says the three applications are interdependent and must be considered together so the project can be built as a DRD, which the applicant argues will preserve more open space and limit clearing compared with conventional subdivision rules. Neighbors, conservation interests and several commissioners raised concerns about wetlands, the Ivy Brook headwaters, traffic on Constitution Boulevard, density and whether the proposed open space would meaningfully protect the stream corridor.

What the applicant told the commission Dominic Thomas, attorney for the applicant, told the commission the applications are a single "three‑legged stool," and that the zone change is needed so the proposal can qualify for the DRD, which he said allows greater open‑space preservation while concentrating housing. Thomas said he revised the text amendment that had previously required a 75‑foot…