Stratford panel backs comprehensive zoning rewrite, rejects late addenda and text amendments

Chair Sarah Graham called the Stratford Planning Commission to order on Nov. 19 and the commission reviewed a comprehensive zoning regulations rewrite that staff said consolidates decades of piecemeal amendments into a user‑friendly code.

Town Planner Sismitha Tada told the commission the rewrite—original regulations date to 1945—adds a consolidated use table, district one‑pagers, and updates to numerous sections including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), multifamily standards, coastal area management, parking (including EV charging), signs, and notification procedures. “We created a modern user friendly document with zoning district 1‑pagers, dimensional standard tables, consolidated use table, and comprehensive use and site standards,” Tada said.

Tada emphasized the planning commission’s role is to test the draft for consistency with the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). She also flagged three late addenda submitted to the zoning commission: (1) removing the special‑permit requirement for multifamily developments of four or more units; (2) a workforce housing provision requiring connection to sanitary sewer and stormwater systems; and (3) a requirement that at least 10% of parking spaces include Level 2 or DC fast‑charging EV infrastructure. Staff recommended separating those addenda from the main rewrite so they would not delay adoption and so they could receive proper public and departmental review.

During public comment, Kevin Kelly, assistant town attorney, said documents submitted at yesterday’s zoning hearing (from the Pellegrino law firm and an individual identified as Steve Shapiro) contained substantive changes that were not vetted by town departments and could undermine review safeguards. He warned in particular against broadly eliminating site plan review and limiting performance bonds, saying such changes would reduce notice and review by fire, police and building departments and could present public‑safety and environmental risks.

After discussion, the commission voted to send a favorable recommendation for the comprehensive zoning regulations rewrite to the zoning commission; the motion carried 4–1. The commission then voted separately on the addenda: an unfavorable recommendation on the multifamily addendum (unanimous), an unfavorable recommendation on the workforce‑housing addendum (unanimous), and an unfavorable recommendation on the EV‑charging addendum (4–1). The commission also gave unfavorable recommendations to two late text amendments—one from a private developer proposing workforce‑housing language and a separate submission associated with the Pellegrino law firm—on the grounds the commission could not determine POCD consistency because the materials were submitted too late for departmental review.

The commission’s votes were procedural recommendations to the zoning commission; they do not adopt the regulations. Chair Sarah Graham closed the discussion and the meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.