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Bolton PZC hears staff reports on outdoor dining, Parkside opening and statewide planning conversation on zoning and racism
Summary
Staff told the Planning & Zoning Commission they have seen a surge in administrative permits and outdoor dining setups are operating successfully; the Commission asked staff to research whether temporary outdoor arrangements should be codified after the governor’s orders expire. Commissioner Manning also reported on a statewide conversation about racism and land‑use policy.
Zoning staff told the Bolton Planning & Zoning Commission on June 10 that administrative zoning permits have increased during the pandemic, with about a dozen recent permits for sheds, decks and pools, and that the office has handled several complaints related to increased at‑home activity.
Zoning Enforcement Officer Jim Rupert said local restaurants’ outdoor dining setups have “gone well,” with assistance from the Health District and local businesses to install barriers; he cited Georgina’s and noted Mr. Manning helped resolve some issues. Rupert said he believes outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed with social distancing and that restaurants are aware the governor’s temporary orders expire Sept. 9, 2020. Chairman Adam Teller asked whether outdoor dining installations must be disassembled after the orders expire; Rupert said the PZC could adopt a regulation to permit continued setups and asked staff to bring more information to the next meeting.
Rupert also reported Parkside had closed out building permits after installing a handicapped ramp, restrooms and completing gas‑line repairs and was finishing Health District items with an eye to opening around June 15. He said Fish Family Farm applied to the Health District for a June 15 event featuring a food truck; the office was not aware the farm had resumed its Monday night auto gatherings.
In correspondence, Commissioner Thomas Manning summarized a statewide planning conversation hosted by UConn law professor Attorney Sara Bronin about racism and zoning reform. Manning said panelists discussed a range of changes, from strengthening affordable‑housing provisions to proposals that would move some land‑use decisions to regional or state authorities and appoint planning bodies rather than elect them. Manning said Bolton has taken some steps such as incentive housing zoning but that rural infrastructure limits (water and sewer) constrain how much zoning alone can deliver.
