PZC Approves Waiver for Subdivision

The town of Goshen’s Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) their regular monthly meeting at the conference room at Town Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7:30.  Several issues were covered; a subdivision being added to a town road, a brief discussion on wetlands in the area, and the resignation of alternate member, Leya L. Edison.

Members present were Chairman Don W. Wilkes and members Cynthia A. Barrett, Patrick Lucas, Laura J. Lemieux and Lu-Ann C. Zbinden and Alternate member Jim Withstandley.

New business, most notably was the proposed addition of a subdivision on Holmes Road, located off Connecticut Route 63. The 12.71 acre parcel is owned by Edward and Kim Bahr. Edward Bahr, Ken Hrica an engineer (PE) doing business in Litchfield, CT and speaking on behalf of applicants, MacKenzey Melk and Christopher Pannullo, were also present.  The Bahr’s own the last house on the southern side of Holmes Road.  The engineer of the project, Hrica, stated, “The town has been out there clearing some trees and working on improving the roadway through here to make this happen for us.”

Hrica reviewed with the Commission a map of the area, while also further describing the proposed property: An area designated Lot 1, which has already been developed, would remain as it is, while the proposed development, called Lot 2, would have its own driveway, septic system, and house. A pond on the property would remain part of Lot 1. Meanwhile, a list of requirements offered by the town’s Public Works Department included the need for “a 40 foot setback,” one which was discussed by the Commission along with a “relocation of monuments” and three separate drainage easements located on Holmes Road.

“[We] did take a look at the [town’s] open space regulations and [we] have provided a request for a waiver,” stated Hrica, explaining to the Commission that the town of Goshen’s plan for conservation and development of land was depicted on what he called an “open space map,” a blow-up depiction of which he showed to the Commission. “It [the map] designates areas and land that are important lands to keep as open space [in the town].”

It is pertinent to note that a review of the existing PZC regulations for Goshen requiring open space are in keeping with the Town’s long-standing history of maintaining a rural appearance for Goshen.

Hrica noted that he had written a letter which addressed Chairman Wilkes on the waiver previously mentioned, the letter explaining, in detail, why and how the proposed development would not encroach on protected land or count as open space as defined by the town.

Zoning Enforcement Officer Martin Connor read the memo Mr. Hrica had provided to the PZC. Connor noted that, per the memo, the plan that had been laid out on behalf of the Bahrs, had been revised as recently as Feb. 24, 2023 by Hrica Associates LLC—Mr. Hrica’s  firm.

After initial questions and reviews were discussed regarding the issue of the subdivision development on Holmes Road, Chairman Wilkes asked all present if there was any further discussion to be had, or if there were any questions or comments regarding the topic. No further discussion was had, no questions were raised, and no comments were made. 

A motion was introduced by Commissioner Lucas to waive the requirement for an open space and recreation area for 80 Holmes Rd. (This refers to Section VII of the Goshen’s PZC regulations regarding subdivision’s outdoor, open space requirement for recreational use. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lemieux and unanimously passed by the Commission.

“Mr. Wilkes was impressed with the presentation and felt it was a well thought out plan and Ms. Zbinden liked that they are utilizing the existing road.”

Lastly, in a motion made by Commission member Lemieux and seconded by Commission member Lucas, “it was voted to approve the Proposed Subdivision Application for 80 Holmes Road with the conditions stated in Mr. Connor’s Memo dated February 28, 2023.  This motion passed without objection by any of the members.

The Commission moved on to address ZEO Connor’s Zoning Enforcement Officer’s report: This report primarily addressed the Holmes Road subdivision already discussed, though it also featured information surrounding the fact that more houses continue to be built throughout the town.

In a motion initiated by Lemieux and seconded by Secretary Zbinden, it was voted by the PZC to accept the ZEO’s report dated to Feb. 28, 2023. This motion carried with unanimous vote.

Next, the PZC addressed correspondence: It was noted that the PZC had received a letter of resignation from alternate Commissioner Leya Edison. The letter was not read at the meeting, but a copy from the Town Clerk’s office stated Edison resigned due to a conflict of interest as she is the publisher of The Goshen News, and felt even the appearance of a conflict would not serve the people of Goshen well.

 Meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

Note:  The town of Goshen’s Planning and Zoning Commission presently consists of seven board members—Chairman Don W. Wilkes, Secretary Lu-Ann C. Zbinden, Commission board member Cynthia A. Barrett, Commission board member Laura J. Lemieux, Commission board member Patrick Lucas, alternate board member William B. Clinton, an alternate board member Jim Withstandley—with one current vacancy open to be filled. Two individuals work as staff contacts for the PZC: ZEO and AICP Enforcement Officer Martin J. Connor and Land Use Commission Clerk Lori Clinton.