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P&Z flags permitting oversights, reviews recycling‑station proposal and pays attorney bill
Summary
Staff reported an apparent permitting oversight discovering an unpermitted ADU at 87 West Morris Road; DRAC applications were recorded for several lighting and sign installations, a proposed recycling station at Stop & Shop would require a site‑plan modification, the commission approved a $165 attorney newsletter bill and briefly met in executive session with no action taken.
Litchfield — The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed several zoning and code‑enforcement matters, including discovery of an apparent permitting oversight that resulted in an unpermitted accessory dwelling, multiple DRAC applications and a proposed commercial recycling station.
Staff reported that permits issued in 2019 and 2021 for work at 87 West Morris Road did not accurately reflect what was built: an initially permitted two‑car garage was followed by construction that produced a three‑car garage containing an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), which requires a special exception. The discrepancy was discovered when the owner applied for a later lean‑to addition; staff said an application for the unpermitted ADU is expected on a future agenda.
The commission noted that DRAC applications are required for recently installed LED lighting at 199 West Street, for new lighting and installed columns at the Lost Fox Inn, and for two "Welcome to Bantam" signs located in Litchfield and within the DOT take line. Separately, staff received a letter granting permission for an 8' x 20' stand‑alone recycling station proposed for the Stop & Shop parking lot; staff advised that such a facility would require a site‑plan modification and observed a larger recycling center is about 1.5 miles away.
On routine business, Commissioner S. Simonin moved and P. Losee seconded payment of a $165 quarterly attorney‑newsletter bill; the motion passed. Later, a motion to approve the March 2, 2026 minutes was recorded with two commissioners noted as abstaining (M. Eucalitto and P. Losee); the minutes contain inconsistent language describing the vote as "unanimous" while listing those abstentions. The commission entered executive session at 8:08 p.m. to discuss pending litigation and exited at 8:10 p.m. with no action taken; the meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
Commissioners also received correspondence from M. Peloquin of the Conservation Commission seeking collaboration on the town’s Plan of Conservation & Development and a notice from COST listing upcoming state bills that could affect local zoning authority.
