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Norfolk Planning & Zoning Commission postpones accessory-apartment hearing and tables multiple zoning amendments
Summary
At its July 14, 2026 meeting the Norfolk Planning & Zoning Commission postponed the public hearing for Application #26-009 (detached accessory apartment at 132 Mountain Road) at the applicants' request and tabled several zoning-regulation amendments until August 11, 2026; the commission also approved prior meeting minutes and assigned follow-up tasks to staff.
The Norfolk Planning & Zoning Commission postponed the opening of the public hearing for Application #26-009, a special permit for a detached accessory apartment at 132 Mountain Road, at the applicants' request and tabled multiple zoning-regulation items until the commission's next meeting on August 11, 2026.
Chair Christopher Schaut presided over the July 14 meeting, which was called to order at 6:56 p.m. The applicants for Application #26-009, William and Deborah Couch, asked for a delay while they obtain approval from the Torrington Area Health District; the commission agreed to postpone the hearing and to carry the matter forward to the August 11 agenda.
The commission also tabled further discussion on draft regulations covering family compounds/camps, proposed language addressing junk and unregistered vehicles, an update to accessory dwelling unit regulations (for which Commissioner Jordan Stern provided an updated memorandum and draft text), and zoning text amendments required by Public Act 25-1. All of those items were scheduled for continued consideration on August 11, 2026.
On routine business the commission approved minutes for three prior meetings. Commissioner Steven Landes moved to approve the May 12, 2026 special meeting minutes, seconded by Marion Felton; the motion carried with Commissioners Schaut, Felton, Landes, Sanoff, Stern and Wood recording approval and Commissioner Edward Barron abstaining. Chair Christopher Schaut moved to approve the May 12, 2026 regular meeting minutes, seconded by Landes, with the same vote pattern (Barron abstaining). Commissioner Edward Barron moved to approve the June 16, 2026 special meeting minutes, seconded by Landes; that motion carried with Commissioner Jordan Stern abstaining.
Bills and correspondence received included an engagement letter regarding an Assessment by Default & Judgment filed April 4, 2023 (recorded at Volume 129 Page 194 of the Town of Norfolk Land Records). Chair Schaut also reported receiving email from Cheryl Heller, chair of the Norfolk Economic Development Commission, concerning the update to Norfolk's Plan of Conservation and Development.
Zoning Enforcement Officer Stacey M. Sefcik reviewed the monthly ZEO report and the commission discussed the items she presented; the minutes record no formal action arising directly from that report. The agenda listed two possible executive-session matters (a recorded judgment/assessment and a pending lawsuit, Joseph Kelly et al. v. Town of Norfolk Planning & Zoning Commission et al.), but the minutes state that no executive sessions were held on either item.
The commission assigned follow-up tasks: ZEO Stacey M. Sefcik was to continue compiling commission edits to draft text amendments; Chair Christopher Schaut was asked to draft tonight's meeting minutes and to respond to Cheryl Heller about the Plan of Conservation and Development update. Commissioner Edward Barron moved to adjourn at 7:33 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Wiley Wood and approved unanimously.
The commission next meets on August 11, 2026, when the postponed public hearing and the tabled text amendments are scheduled for further consideration.
