Guilford P&Z To Review Proposed Program For Young Adults With Disabilities

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford’s Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled Wednesday to consider a proposal to convert part of a mixed-use building on State Street into a life skills and vocational training program for young adults with disabilities.

The commission will hold a virtual public hearing and regular meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, via Microsoft Teams.

One of the agenda items involves a special permit application for 89 State St. seeking approval for a change of use to an adult day care and school facility.

According to the project narrative submitted with the application, Sound Life Connections Inc. proposes using the building’s first floor for life skills instruction, vocational programming and transition services for adults with disabilities between the ages of 17 and 30, while maintaining an existing residential apartment on the second floor.

The prior owners utilized the property for a civil engineering business along with the rental apartment, submitted documents say.

The narrative states programming would focus on independent living, employment readiness, community participation, social development and vocational training through structured educational activities.

Participants could attend full-day programs lasting six to eight hours or shorter classes and vocational training sessions.

Application materials state the program would serve approximately eight to 12 participants at a time with three to four staff members on site. Transportation primarily would be provided by staff, with staggered pickup and drop-off activity anticipated throughout the day.

The applicants state the downtown location would allow participants to practice community access skills through walking and use of public transportation, including access to The WAVE vocational training café on Whitfield Street.

The commission also is scheduled to continue several previously tabled or continued public hearing items, including proposed zoning text amendments involving residential exterior lighting standards, animal rescue facilities and definitions related to zoning permits.

Additional public hearing items include a proposal for an accessory dwelling unit exceeding area requirements at 1635 Nut Plains Road, applications for oversized accessory structures at 128 and 45 Little Harbor Road, and a request tied to building coverage limits for a new residence at 39 Spencer Ave.

During the site plan review portion of the meeting, the commission is expected to review a coastal site plan application for a new single-family home with a deck at 39 Spencer Ave.

The agenda also includes discussions involving window signs, boat storage, excavation and grading regulations, review of commission bylaws and updates related to Guilford’s affordable housing workshop and Plan of Conservation and Development process.

The full agenda and associated meeting materials can be found here.