Planning commission approves two‑lot resubdivision at 1118 Highland Avenue with conditions

The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on March 18 approved a two‑lot resubdivision for property known as 1118 Highland Avenue (Assessor’s Map 217 Block 003 Lot 015), with conditions the commission and staff outlined.

City planner Jeremy Leifer summarized the proposal as a division of the 14‑acre parcel into a roughly 10.15‑acre lot containing the existing single‑family house with Highland Avenue frontage and a roughly 3.87‑acre undeveloped lot with frontage and access on Veil (Iveen) Road. Both resulting parcels lie partly in the R‑15 and R‑40 zoning districts and meet zoning bulk standards, Leifer said. Leifer noted the R‑40 portion falls outside the public sewer service area, so the new lot will require a septic system; water service is available on Highland Avenue while the new lot would need a well because Veil Road is not served by public water.

Leifer told the commission that the wetlands commission approved its review the night before and staff had received the wetlands report for the record. He listed recommended conditions of approval: submission of a positive wetlands report before final approval; a commission waiver of the open‑space set‑aside requirement under section 5.5.0.4 of the subdivision regulations because the transfer is to a direct family member; filing of any required utility easement documents prior to issuance of zoning permits; setting new property pins as a condition of approval or posting a bond until pins are set; and filing of required paper and mylar plan copies (including engineer seal and chairman signature) within 90 days and prior to permit issuance.

Commissioner Donna Greco moved approval with the staff‑recommended conditions; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the public hearing. The commission recorded the conditions that pins must be set prior to issuance of zoning permits and that the mylar record map must be filed with the city clerk within 90 days of approval.

The approval allows future single‑family dwellings on both parcels; accessory dwelling units would be permitted only with future commission approval. Staff noted additional technical plan requirements (adding street frontage width to final plans, confirming lot area calculations, and filing all required map identifiers) to be satisfied before final map filing.

The commission closed the public hearing and moved on to other agenda items.