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Bolton PZC continues hearing on rear‑lot zoning amendments after fire‑safety, character concerns
Summary
The Bolton Planning & Zoning Commission continued a public hearing on proposed amendments to rear‑lot (irregular lot) rules after residents raised concerns about emergency access and the draft’s effect on rural character; staff will redraft and the hearing was continued to Oct. 11, 2017.
Bolton Planning & Zoning Commission members on Aug. 9 continued a public hearing on proposed Zoning Regulation amendments to Section 2 (Definitions) and Section 11F (Rear/Irregular Lots), after residents and officials raised questions about emergency access and the effect of the changes on the town’s rural character.
Patrice Carson, director of community development, said notices of the continuation had been published and read into the record a letter from Bob and Donna Munroe opposing the proposed amendments. Resident William Anderson said he found the driveway restrictions designed to ensure emergency fire access to be “arbitrary” and asked the commission for specific data about any injury or death of a firefighter tied to driveway conditions.
Commissioner Carl Preuss, who served for decades in the fire service and retired as a captain of the East Hartford Fire Department, described firefighting approach procedures: “In approaching a burning building, the first engine will lay the line up the driveway as the point of approach. The second one then feeds into the line.” Staff members Jim Rupert and Patrice Carson reported they had met with Chief Dixon and said the fire marshal did have a specific basis for the driveway restrictions in the draft regulation.
First Selectman Robert Morra said he did not believe rear lots necessarily conflicted with Bolton’s rural character and warned that the draft could encourage a pattern of small “box lots.” Resident Richard Treat and others said the current regulation is unclear and has caused misperception; several speakers questioned the draft’s four‑lot threshold for permitting a rear lot as too high.
After discussion about liability and the intent that rear lots be rare, Commissioner Adam Teller moved to continue the public hearing to Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, at 7:45 p.m. at Town Hall; Commissioner Carl Preuss seconded and the motion passed 7:0:0. Carson said she will redraft the regulation language for clarity and post the revision on the town website before the next hearing.
The continued hearing leaves the draft amendments open for revision; the commission did not adopt any regulatory changes at this meeting.
