Torrington planning commission hears zoning and blight update; several enforcement matters remain open

City planning staff on March 19 updated the Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on the status of ongoing zoning and blight enforcement matters and on a proposed site plan for a material sorting/recycling operation at 3350 Winstead Road.

Inland wetlands and 3350 Winstead Road: staff read an email noting that on March 4 the Inland Wetlands Commission accepted a wetlands map amendment for 3350 Winstead Road following a site survey by a certified soil scientist conducted in fall 2024. Staff said they were told the applicant intends to submit a site plan application in early spring 2025; because of staff availability the application is being targeted for the commission’s May meeting. The project as described in the update would be processed under the recently amended regulations and is expected to be evaluated by site plan only; staff noted pre-existing uses on the property, potential material sorting and limited rock crushing but not blasting.

Zoning and blight items: staff reported ongoing work on several properties: - Dos Amigos: no new response from the property at the time of the meeting and the case remains open. - Batchy Brew: the property was given until June 1 to complete remaining landscaping; citations are paused during that remediation period. - Red Oak property: staff said cleanup appears to be wrapping up but residual items (metal, parts and machinery) remain to be removed by a recycling contractor. - Pinewoods Road gas station: staff indicated the site remains unsecured and is attracting unauthorized use; options discussed include securing the site with fencing, cleaning the site or moving toward enforcement actions if activity continues. - Old Marino’s property and other long-term stalled sites: staff said the commission will press owners as five-year timelines on certain approvals approach, and that abandoned or prolonged inactivity may prompt enforcement action. - Former Cumberland site on Midget Avenue and other vacant structures: staff said structural and stabilization concerns have produced inquiries; engineers or structural reviews may be needed if conditions worsen.

West Hill solar and regional items: staff noted a West Hill application has been submitted but the packet is currently sparse; planners suggested a draft review at the commission’s May meeting and said the applicant’s decision date is scheduled for September. Commissioners also discussed regional activity: Winchester is revising cannabis regulations, and several commissioners compared state siting council processes for energy projects to local land-use control.

What happens next: staff will continue to monitor compliance deadlines and follow up with applicants for required plan submissions. For 3350 Winstead Road, staff asked applicants to target a May meeting submittal and recommended providing materials two to three weeks before the meeting to allow for interdepartmental review.

No formal enforcement orders were announced at the March 19 meeting; commissioners and staff discussed next steps for sites that have not progressed and noted potential enforcement or blight-declaration pathways if owners do not act.