North Stonington P&Z issues favorable 8-24 report for nonprofit classroom at education center

On July 16, 2026, the North Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission issued a favorable advisory report under Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-24 recommending that Max Schacks, described in the filing as a 501(c)(3), be allowed to lease Room 1426 at the North Stonington Education Center to provide life-skills instruction for students with special needs.

The commission’s staff read findings that the proposal would use an existing classroom and would not involve new construction, site alterations, changes to access, parking or municipal utilities. The staff statement said the proposed use is consistent with the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development because it "supports educational opportunities and community services that enhance the quality of life for residents" and does not alter the physical development or character of the site. The staff reading also noted that the recommendation is based on the proposal as presented and "does not supersede any other applicable federal, state, or local approvals that may be required," language the commission adopted into its advisory report.

A participant who addressed the commission described the background for the request and said the item was fast-tracked after a petition was filed that triggered a town meeting; he reported the town-meeting result as "56 to 14" in favor. He described the lease as a one-year agreement for $1 per year plus utilities, with utilities charged at 1.3% of the tenant’s square footage and the cost estimated to be a little under $1,000 per year. The speaker told commissioners the proposed tenant planned classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays for roughly three hours and emphasized the program would continue community-serving educational activity in the building.

Commissioners asked whether the library — which holds a deed restriction on the building — had been contacted; the speaker said he had not received the information he had requested from the library and that he had set aside other space if needed. Staff reminded the commission that the packet includes suggested findings and the statutory 8-24 review is an advisory check on consistency with the town’s long-range plan.

After staff read the formal findings and a favorable recommendation, the chair called for a motion. Commissioners voted in favor; the meeting record includes multiple "Aye" responses and the commission moved the recommendation forward. The commission’s favorable 8-24 report is an advisory opinion to the Board of Selectmen; any required permits or approvals beyond the 8-24 review were not addressed at the meeting.

Next steps: the advisory report will be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen and any applicable state or local approvals must still be obtained before the proposed lease can take effect.