Zoning board approves front-setback variance for 249 Wigwam Lane, 5-0

The Town of Stratford Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously Jan. 2 to grant a front-setback variance for 249 Wigwam Lane, allowing the homeowner to reduce the required setback from 25 feet to 13.2 feet to construct a single-story addition.

The applicant appeared by representative Jennifer Cuevas, who said the homeowner, Elizabeth Morgan, resides at the property and that the house dates to 1903, predating local zoning. Cuevas described the request as necessary because the lot is a preexisting nonconforming parcel that makes further development difficult.

Neighbor Greg Ricco questioned whether survey pins shown on a submitted survey represented boundaries only on the southern property line and was told the board could not interpret survey boundaries for him and that he should consult the surveyor. No members of the public spoke in opposition.

Town attorney Florek reminded members that a variance must be supported by a hardship tied to the land and that four affirmative votes are required to grant a variance. After deliberation about the lot’s corner location and age, the board took a roll-call vote and approved the variance 5-0.

The variance allows the applicant to proceed with design and permitting consistent with the terms of the approval; staff will follow up on any required filings or conditions. The board recessed the public hearing and continued its administrative agenda following the vote.