Zoning Board reappoints chair and approves driveway setback variance for 68–70 Center St.

The Windsor Locks Zoning Board of Appeals voted Dec. 1 to reappoint Douglas Glazier as chair for 2026 and approved a variance allowing a driveway at 68–70 Center St. to be located closer to the street than setback rules normally allow.

The action to reappoint Mr. Glazier was moved by Neal Cunningham and seconded by Norm Weigert; the board approved the appointment 4–1, with Mark Whitten dissenting. During the meeting, the board also accepted the Nov. 3, 2025 meeting minutes (vote 3–0 with two abstentions) and handled routine administrative items, including noting a media bill of $275.45 paid for October and posting of the 2026 meeting dates and cutoff deadlines.

The board opened a public hearing on Application #FY25-26-06, filed by owner/applicant Randy Herbert, who said he had removed large bushes that had blocked the sidewalk and paved an area to create side-by-side parking for tenants. Herbert said the property is a two-family house (two cars per family) and that the shared driveway and surrounding configuration led tenants to park on the grass and behind others. After paving the area to reduce those conflicts, he said, the newly paved surface ended up closer to the street than the town’s standard setback requirement; Herbert told the board he did not know the regulations before starting the work and requested a variance to retain the driveway as built.

A neighbor, Diane Allen of 9 Ledyard Rd, spoke in support of the application, saying she had a similar experience and that the property looks better without bushes blocking the sidewalk.

Mark Whitten moved to approve Application #FY25-26-06; Neal Cunningham seconded. The board voted 5–0 to grant the variance for 68–70 Center St. The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

The minutes are currently in draft form; the recording secretary noted attendees should check the following month’s minutes for official approval and any amendments.