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Neighbors raise flooding concerns as Litchfield P&Z continues Knize accessory‑apartment hearing
Summary
Owners of 34 Scenic View Drive revised plans to attach a 1,000 sq ft accessory structure after discovering a subdivision covenant prohibiting stand‑alone ADUs; neighbors raised concerns about past water runoff and requested engineering clarifications. The commission continued the hearing to April 6.
Litchfield — The Planning and Zoning Commission continued the public hearing on an accessory apartment application for 34 Scenic View Drive to its April 6 meeting after neighbors expressed concerns about drainage and the applicants revised plans to comply with subdivision covenants.
Owners W. Knize and V. Knize, joined by L. Pimentel, told the commission that a Declaration of Covenants in the subdivision, recorded in 1988, appears to prohibit stand‑alone accessory dwellings. In response, the applicants revised their proposal so the new 1,000‑square‑foot Clotter Farm accessory structure will attach to the rear of the existing house via an L‑shaped breezeway rather than stand alone. Engineer J. Green is expected to submit updated house plans and the health authority contact B. Jaques at TAHD is reviewing the revisions.
Neighbors B. McLeod, E. Lasky and R. Spierto reviewed the revised site plan. Spierto said that when the house was constructed in 2003, runoff from the site had previously flooded his property and he urged the commission to get an engineering response on how the revised plan will prevent similar impacts during construction and afterward. The commission asked for comment from Engineer J. Green on the runoff concern and will revisit the item at the next meeting.
Commission members noted the zoning regulations for accessory apartments require the owner to reside on the property and that approval becomes null and void if the owner no longer lives there. The commission also requested to see the detailed Clotter Farm plans and any documentation addressing stormwater and site drainage before making a decision.
The hearing remains open and is scheduled to continue April 6, 2026.
