Commission approves renovation for 6 Lieutenant River Lane with dark‑sky lighting and documentation conditions

The Old Lyme Zoning Commission on July 13 approved a special permit permitting interior renovations and a second‑floor primary bedroom addition at 6 Lieutenant River Lane, a 1925 house whose waterfront parcel touches Old Lyme Land Trust property.

Brooke Gertie, the applicant’s representative, told the commission the design adds a primary suite above an existing dining room and avoids expanding the house’s width, height or footprint. “We’re not cutting down any trees,” Gertie said, and the proposal keeps mature vegetation and the existing driveway while stepping new roof lines to maintain a modest profile.

Commissioners reviewed a Connecticut River Gateway Commission letter that said the project “conforms to gateway standards” but recommended removing one floodlight and replacing seven exterior fixtures with dark‑sky‑compliant lighting as a condition of approval. The commission incorporated that request into its motion and asked applicants to certify that non‑reflective glass and other Gateway standards will be followed.

The commission also required that the applicants remove a confusing “limit of clearing” note from the improvement‑location survey and provide an existing‑conditions map that clearly shows all landscape features and the proposed topsoil/lighting plan so staff can verify that no additional vegetation will be removed. The panel emphasized that the final file should contain an exhibit showing how the Gateway standards were addressed.

Jane Marsh moved to approve the permit with the conditions; Denise Savigno seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5‑0‑0.

What happens next: The applicant must submit the revised survey and an existing‑conditions map and complete the lighting changes identified by the Gateway letter before final sign‑off. The commission closed the public hearing before the vote after no members of the public requested to speak.