Commission approves rezoning of 435 Maple Avenue despite strong neighborhood opposition

The Cheshire Planning & Zoning Commission approved a zone change for 435 Maple Avenue from R-20 to R-20A on May 11, 2026, by a vote of 6'to'2, with one commissioner recused from voting.

Attorney Mike Ciacaruli (speaker 16) explained the applicants, Donald and Ellen Champy/Champey, are under contract to purchase the property and intend to use part of the house for a family-run wealth-management practice while continuing a residential presence. Ellen Champey (speaker 15) said the family intends tasteful exterior improvements and would later apply for a special permit to address parking and accessibility.

Multiple residents who live directly across or nearby — including Jeff Yu (speaker 12), Guy Darter (speaker 19), Jim Landro (speaker 20) and Patricia Mottola (speaker 21) — urged the commission to deny the rezoning, citing the neighborhood's historic residential character and warning that a successful reclassification would create "commercial creep." "Once one home becomes commercial," Jeff Yu said, "it would threaten the character of our street."

Staff and the applicants pointed out that similar R-20A designations and office uses have been incorporated along Maple Avenue, and that any nonresidential uses would still require special-permit review with conditions. The commission found the change consistent with the 2026 Plan of Conservation and Development and moved to approve the rezoning; the effective date was set for 05/15/2026. The commission noted it expects a future special-permit application where design and parking details will be set.

Neighbors said they were disappointed by the result and worried about long-term precedent should more properties request rezoning.