Torrington — The Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 17 approved a special exception allowing the conversion of the rear ground floor of 48 Center Street into a residential unit while retaining commercial space at street level.

Martin Connor, a certified planner representing owner Gerald Incandella, described the building as long used for artist production and said the owner seeks to use the rear portion for occasional overnight occupancy. City planner Jeremy Leifer told the commission the rear residential area totals 3,297 square feet and the front artist/office space would remain 993 square feet. Leifer recommended approval, saying the proposal “is reasonably protective of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the project area and the citizens of the City of Torrington” and noting compliance with the downtown mixed-use standards and special-exception criteria.

Leifer and other staff flagged conditions the commission adopted: the applicant must obtain necessary sanitary sewer discharge permits prior to finalizing the change of use; any new lighting or signage must comply with zoning regulations and receive review/permits; the commission waived the requirement for an engineered site plan because no exterior work is proposed; and the city clerk must file a certificate of special exception on the land records pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §8-3c before commencing the approved use.

No members of the public spoke for or against the application during the hearing. Commissioner Donna Greco moved for approval with the stated conditions; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission’s action applies to the property located in the DD Downtown District and was taken consistent with the zoning regulation sections cited in the staff report.