BETHANY, CT — The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special permit for a church at 43 and 51 Russell Road on Sept. 2, imposing conditions covering occupancy, parking, landscaping, lighting and noise.
The commission voted 5-0 to approve the application for Still Waters Community Church to use a 5,400-square-foot building for Sunday church services and occasional weekday services. The commission had closed the public hearing on the application Aug. 5 after receiving comments from the public, applicant, property owner, town staff and Fire Marshal.
The approval limits occupancy during church services to 180 people, based on a determination by the Fire Marshal. The Quinnipiack Valley Health District agreed with that limit and specified restrictions on certain uses, according to the commission's resolution.
The site will have 60 parking spaces, and no parking will be permitted on Russell Road. The church must provide enough staffing to direct vehicles into the designated parking areas. The town will monitor the parking arrangement and could require changes after six months.
The approval also requires adequate landscaping to buffer neighboring residential properties and requires existing or new lighting to be shielded to prevent light from spilling onto neighboring properties. Noise may not exceed state limits measured at the property line.
All uses of the property will be monitored for six months. If significant departures from the conditions continue during that period, the commission may require church representatives to return to a meeting to discuss the issues. Chairman Steven Thornquist moved to approve the resolution, Commissioner Karen Muller seconded it, and the commission approved it unanimously, 5-0.
The commission also held a public hearing on a proposal by TRITEC Americas LLC to amend Bethany's zoning regulations to allow "Primary Solar Energy Equipment" in the town's Business and Industrial Zone. The application is associated with 795 Carrington Road.
Commissioner Bob Harrison recused himself from the hearing and consideration of the application because he serves on the Bethany Land Trust's board of directors. TRITEC representatives presented the solar project and the reasons for the requested zoning amendment.
The remaining four commissioners voted unanimously to close the public hearing. The application itself was continued to the commission's Oct. 7 meeting, meaning no decision on the proposed zoning change was made Sept. 2.
The commission postponed consideration of a proposed three-lot subdivision at 244 Amity Road until Oct. 7.
The application, submitted by Roger and Mary Ellen Simon, covers property in the Business and Industrial and R-65 zones. Public Engineer John Paul Garcia presented the proposal. The hearing must remain open because the Inland Wetlands Commission had not yet made its decision on the application, according to the minutes.
Harrison moved to postpone the hearing until 7 p.m. Oct. 7, Muller seconded the motion and the commission voted 5-0 in favor.
Commissioners also scheduled an Oct. 7 public hearing on proposed changes to Bethany's requirements for water sources used in fire suppression.
Michael Sullivan, the town's water source officer, submitted a zoning text amendment seeking to revise and update the requirements and appeared remotely to explain the application. Commissioners voted 5-0 to schedule the hearing.
The commission separately voted 5-0 to consider related changes to Bethany's subdivision regulations concerning fire suppression and water supplies during the same Oct. 7 public hearing.
Commissioners also discussed possible changes to regulations governing residential accessory buildings, including garages. Among the issues discussed were tying allowable garage size to the size of a property and potentially requiring owners to attest that vehicles stored there are for personal use. Town Planner Hiram Peck said garage height and size should be carefully examined. The matter was temporarily tabled to allow Zoning Enforcement Officer Curtis Bosco to conduct additional research.
In other business, the commission received a complaint from Teresa Tschupp of Humiston Drive concerning possible violations involving 34 Ann Drive. Bosco was expected to inspect the Ann Drive property. Neighbor Cheryl Dean showed commissioners photographs of the property.
The commission met at Bethany Town Hall and adjourned at 10:07 p.m. Its next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
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