Madison Advisory Committee On Community Appearance Discusses Downtown Village District Changes

MADISON, CT — The Madison Advisory Committee on Community Appearance approved a major alteration request for 875 Boston Post Road, Units 1 & 2, during its Jan. 13 meeting. The application, filed by owners Janet Peckinpaugh, Alexander Gerson, and Allen Ney Kee, included plans for a privacy gate, landscaping, and fence replacement in the Downtown Village District.

The committee previously met on Dec. 9 to discuss the application, and at that time, the owners agreed to present a rendering with a vertical, non-pressure-treated fence option and a revised privacy screen. The new plans also included a fence color matching Benjamin Moore Midnight Black.

During the January meeting, Land Use Official Maria A. Pettola clarified that the committee had recommended the removal of horizontal fencing in the previous meeting, which the applicants had agreed to. The new plan, however, retained horizontal fencing but made the posts visible to break up the planking. It also included caps to enlarge the posts and a rail on top of the fence with airspace. The existing pressure-treated wood fencing would be reused.

Commissioner John Cunningham inquired about the height of the side fence, which the architect confirmed to be 5 feet. Applicant Allen Ney Kee noted that the existing back fence is horizontal and offered to remove its bottom piece for better airflow. Pettola reminded the applicants about district standards and that final fence approval would involve another committee.

Commissioner Matt Williams expressed reservations about reusing the existing fencing but stated he did not object to horizontal fencing if it was unobtrusive. The applicants agreed with Commissioner Cunningham's suggestion for wood fence post caps that match existing caps on Unit 3. The commissioners recommended replacing the fencing with white or red cedar to prevent wood grain from showing through. Peckinpaugh sought clarification on reusing existing fencing, and Commissioner Williams confirmed they could only recommend replacing the pressure-treated wood fence with cedar.

The committee unanimously approved the new design with the recommendation to replace the pressure-treated horizontal fencing with clear cedar. A separate motion was unanimously approved to modify the privacy fence for Unit 2, recommending the existing 5-foot gate be reduced to 3 feet, the new gate also be 3 feet, and the privacy fence be replaced with arborvitae.

The committee also discussed an application for 84 Bradley Road from Rick Brauchler, representing Redstart, LLC. This minor Downtown Village District modification sought to add a gooseneck-style light above an existing wall sign.

Pettola presented on behalf of the absent applicant. Commissioners requested alternative lighting options, finding five fixtures excessive for the space. They suggested replacing gooseneck fixtures with two horizontal lights: one above Kitchens and one above Gedney. Light spread specifications for each proposed fixture were requested.

The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10.