Madison Panel Continues Proposed Apartment Building Review Pending Exterior Material Samples

MADISON, CT — The Madison Advisory Committee on Community Appearance this week voted to continue its review of a proposal for a four-unit apartment building at 397 Durham Road in Madison until the applicant presents physical samples of the project's exterior materials and colors.

The committee unanimously approved continuing Application No. 26-10, a special exception request by applicant David Klein on behalf of owner 397 Durham Apts LLC to construct a 40-by-60-foot apartment building with associated parking, utilities, a subsurface sewage disposal system and stormwater improvements. The application was continued from the committee's June 9 meeting.

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John Cunningham called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. because Chair Matt Williams arrived late.

Klein presented updated plans and street-view photographs showing that the property is heavily screened from Route 79 by existing trees. He said most of the vegetation between the proposed building and the road would remain, although several smaller trees and one oak tree would be removed. Because the proposed building would rise to nearly 30 feet at its peak, compared with the existing 14-foot house, it could become partially visible through the trees during winter months.

Klein said the parking area had been moved closer to the building following recommendations from zoning staff. The revised layout preserves additional trees and keeps the five-space parking area screened from Route 79. Plans also include bollards around the parking area, soffit-mounted downlights and a white cedar slat fence enclosing the dumpster area, so its open side is not visible from the road.

Committee members said revisions to the building's appearance improved the design, including replacing the portico roof with a gable roof and adding divided-light windows.

The proposal calls for vertical board-and-batten fiber cement siding painted Benjamin Moore's "Ice Marble," a light gray with green undertones, along with shingles in a color between black and gray. During the discussion, committee members suggested darker green, gray or natural wood tones for the doors and window trim. They also recommended adding small glass lites near the tops of the solid entry doors to increase natural light while maintaining tenant privacy.

The committee declined to make a final recommendation without reviewing physical material samples. Members said town and zoning requirements call for applicants to present actual materials because digital images do not accurately represent colors.

The committee requested physical samples of the proposed fiber cement siding painted "Ice Marble," the roofing shingles, and the window trim and door colors before the application returns. Klein said he would work with town staff on minor site plan revisions related to wetlands before the next meeting.

Cunningham made the motion to continue the application, Williams seconded it, and the committee approved the motion unanimously.

During committee discussion later in the meeting, members raised concerns about development sites that are cleared or demolished but then remain unfinished for extended periods, leaving prominent vacant properties. Examples discussed included locations near Elizabeth Cafe, along Boston Post Road and near Cohens.

Williams suggested requiring developers to post restoration bonds when obtaining permits, so the town could restore abandoned sites if projects stall for an extended period.

Maria Pettola, the town's CZEO/IWO Land Use Official, said erosion-control and soil bonds are common but noted there are legal limits on what municipalities can require on private property. She said the issue will be revisited as the town updates its land use regulations.