Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Po Cd Public Act 25 1 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Old Lyme Planning Commission finds zoning changes tied to Public Act 25-1 generally consistent with POCD, urges carve-outs for Hall’s Road area
Summary
The Old Lyme Planning Commission voted that proposed zoning amendments implementing Public Act 25-1 are consistent with the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development but directed a recommendation to the zoning commission to allow multi-family or mixed-use in commercial zones while preserving a commercial component in the C-30S (Pauls/Hall’s Road) area; the recommendation was approved 3–1–1.
The Old Lyme Planning Commission voted that proposed zoning regulation changes required by Public Act 25-1 are consistent with the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) and agreed to recommend modifications to protect key commercial corridors.
Eric, the staff member presenting the referral, told commissioners the statute requires towns to permit two-to-nine residential units in commercial zones and allows towns to create small parking-overlay districts covering up to 4% of town land. He said the town and consultant IMCOG drew maps and a memo to guide the commission’s review and noted that the state language leaves flexibility about whether such units must be part of mixed-use development (ground-floor commercial) or may be permitted as straight residential.
Commissioners expressed split views over the effect of allowing straight multi-family in all commercial zones. Several members warned that Shore Road’s commercial character could be eroded if properties there were converted to residential without a commercial component. Others said forcing mixed-use on every commercial parcel would be impractical in low-foot-traffic locations and could discourage development.
After discussion, the commission voted 4–0–1 that the proposed regulations are consistent with the POCD, a determination that affects the voting thresholds the zoning commission will need for adoption. The body then debated the content of its report back to the zoning commission. A motion that the commission report in favor of allowing multi-family or mixed-use in all commercial zones but preserve a required commercial element in the C-30S (Pauls/Hall’s Road) district passed 3–1–1. The chair said he would draft the report for the zoning commission’s July hearing.
Eric clarified procedural options during the discussion: property owners can apply for use variances to the Zoning Board of Appeals, but use variances are difficult to obtain because applicants must show no other viable use exists for a site. He also explained that the commission can recommend zone-by-zone carve-outs (for example, treating C-30S differently from other C-30 areas) and that the zoning commission may further refine text at public hearings beginning July 1.
The commission also agreed that creating parking-overlay districts was acceptable and supported carving out targeted areas where parking requirements could still be enforced. Commissioners asked staff and the consultant to emphasize in the report where mixed-use is appropriate (Hall’s Road and Soundview were mentioned explicitly) and where allowing straight multi-family would be more practical.
The commission’s recommendations move the referral forward to the zoning commission for public hearings and potential adoption. The zoning commission will receive the Planning Commission’s report and may revise proposed text before its July 1 meeting.
