Zoning board reopens hearing, approves three-lot plan with 50-foot conservation easement and road conditions

Shelton City’s Zoning Board of Appeals reopened a June 16 hearing and voted to approve a three-lot residential plan with conditions designed to protect neighboring properties and manage infrastructure needs. The board said the item was reopened because member Linda Adante would not be able to attend next month and the matter needed a timely vote.

A committee member moved to approve the plan “so we can discuss it,” and another member seconded the motion. The board discussed several conditions before voting, including increasing a buffer from 30 feet to a 50-foot conservation easement intended to preserve natural habitat between the new homes and existing houses. “I would like you ask for a 50 foot conservation easement,” a committee member said during the discussion.

Board members said the conservation easement should generally prevent structures in the buffer but allow necessary low-impact ground-level installations such as drainage, septic, or well systems when those are required. The board also recommended that shared access and maintenance responsibilities be recorded in deed language and organized through an association so that the properties have a clear arrangement for road upkeep.

Members debated the width of the private access road serving the three homes. One member recommended a minimum 25-foot width to allow comfortable vehicle passage, while others noted existing requirements and said the fire marshal and planning staff will review whether the width is adequate for emergency vehicles. The transcript notes that a hydrant is to be installed as part of the project.

Drainage and wetland issues were discussed; members said wetlands reviewers had examined the project and the applicant plans to install a culvert to route pond drainage into existing natural drainage easements. Board members emphasized that the 50-foot easement should be written to avoid blocking required drainage or other site installations, and that multiple agencies, including Valley Health and the fire marshal, will perform technical review.

Several members raised construction concerns, including potential blasting and ledge removal. The board said that blasting safety and any foundation risk would be addressed through required agency reviews rather than by the zoning board’s conditions. Members also confirmed the approval applies to the three-house plan under review and said any proposal to increase the number of houses would require a return to the board for further approval.

After discussion the board called the question. The transcript captures members responding in the affirmative; no opposing votes are recorded. The board then reclosed that portion of the hearing.

The board’s action imposes the conditions described and leaves detailed technical approvals — road adequacy for fire apparatus, drainage design, and any blasting permits — to the appropriate municipal reviewers.