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Stratford ZBA approves rear‑lot variance for Keating Drive property over wetlands concerns
Summary
The Stratford Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4‑1 to allow Keating Drive LLC to create a rear building lot despite wetlands constraints and a neighbor’s questions about buffer impacts; the decision requires subsequent wetlands and building approvals.
The Stratford Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4‑1 to grant Keating Drive LLC a variance to create a rear building lot on a parcel constrained by wetlands, the board decided after hearing objections and assurances about wetland protection.
Attorney Benjamin Prodo, representing Keating Drive LLC, told the board the parent parcel is just under 100,000 square feet and that the proposed split would produce a conforming 40,000‑square‑foot front lot and a rear lot of roughly 60,000 square feet including wetlands. Prodo said wetland extent and a private‑drive ownership dispute with a nearby golf course left the rear‑lot configuration as the only practical option. “We can build outside of the buffer, not impacting any of the wetlands,” Prodo said, adding that the team would use pervious materials for the access drive and work with conservation staff on tree and vegetation protections.
Neighbor Michael Costello’s email, read into the record, said he had no objection to a property division but raised questions about where a future house would sit relative to wetlands and what vegetation would remain; Prodo said those topics would be discussed with conservation staff if the board approved the variance. Nearby resident Michael Shannon, who lives at 260 Keating Drive and said he owns a landscaping company, urged preservation of the natural vegetation for privacy and said he had discussed planting plans with town conservation staff.
Commissioner Judy Cleary moved to approve the variance; Commissioner Lynch seconded. Commissioner Christine Doolin voted no. Commissioners Wheeley, Lynch, Cleary and the chair voted yes. The board recorded a 4‑1 approval. The board and staff reminded applicants that any house or access drive will require separate wetlands and building‑permit approvals before construction can proceed.
The board’s approval rested on the parcel’s irregular shape, title‑search history showing a previously recorded but never finalized map, and the difficulty of obtaining an easement from the golf course. Prodo emphasized that prior zoning practice on a nearby lot (260 Keating Drive) and the inability to fill or move wetlands supported the petitioners’ claim of a hardship created by the land itself.
Next steps: the petitioner must obtain conservation/wetlands approvals and a building permit; the board’s action granted only the zoning variance to allow the rear lot configuration.
