Madison P&Z Approves School Demolitions, Sets Dates For Upcoming Public Hearings

MADISON, CT — The Madison Planning and Zoning Commission last week unanimously approved plans to demolish the former Town Campus Learning Center and Ryerson Elementary School, while setting public hearings on several housing and downtown proposals.

The commission also approved a lot-line revision involving three Durham Road properties. All votes recorded during the Aug. 6 virtual meeting were unanimous, 6-0.

The commission met exclusively by Zoom, and Chair Carol Snow said that applications #26-20 and #26-24 had been withdrawn by the applicants, eliminating the night's scheduled public hearings.

Town Campus Learning Center demolition approved

The commission approved the town's site plan modification to demolish the roughly 13,000-square-foot portable classroom building at 6-9 Campus Drive that formerly housed the Town Campus Learning Center.

Ben Whittaker, representing the town, said the Board of Education vacated the building in June 2025 and returned it to the town in January.

The wooden structures will first be used for Fire Department training, culminating in a controlled burn planned for November, Whittaker said. Before then, the town plans to remove HVAC equipment, rubber roofing, lighting and utilities. A hazardous-building-material survey found no asbestos, according to the presentation.

After demolition, the town will remove the footings, backfill the site and restore the area to lawn. No changes are currently proposed for the courts or playground.

Commission Secretary John Morgan moved to approve the application, and Commissioner Mike Bugda seconded the motion.

The approval requires the zoning enforcement officer to receive at least 48 hours' notice before regulated activity begins. Erosion and sediment controls must also be installed before the site is disturbed and maintained until it is sufficiently stabilized.

The approval takes effect Aug. 20.

Ryerson demolition to follow asbestos abatement

The commission separately approved the town's plan to demolish the former Ryerson Elementary School at 980 Durham Road.

Whittaker said the project will require an estimated 90 to 100 days of hazardous-material abatement, primarily involving asbestos, before demolition begins in spring 2027.

The town plans to remove the building's foundation footings and backfill the site with clean fill. The central parking lot will remain to serve the existing playscape, which also will be retained.

Existing electrical service will be converted to a dedicated power pedestal to support demolition work, Whittaker said.

Commissioner Bob O'Connor moved to approve the application with conditions, with Bugda seconding.

18-home Mill Road proposal gets Aug. 20 hearing

The commission scheduled an Aug. 20 public hearing on a proposal for 18 detached single-family homes on Mill Road.

SWPG River Road LLC is seeking coastal site plan and special exception approvals for the small single-family cluster development. Plans call for a private road and related improvements for access, utilities, septic systems and stormwater management.

Vice Chair John Dusza moved to schedule the hearing, with Bugda seconding.

Two previously pending matters also remain on the Aug. 20 agenda without discussion: a special exception application for a four-unit apartment building at 397 Durham Road and the town's proposed replacement of the Garnet Park Road bridge over Bailey Creek.

The commission is also scheduled to hold Aug. 20 public hearings on two town projects involving pedestrian, roadway and landscape improvements in and around downtown. One concerns Phase 3 of the Madison Center Project along Boston Post Road. The other includes sidewalk and crosswalk improvements on Boston Post Road, Britton Lane and West Wharf Road.

Redemption center hearing set for October

An application for an unmanned redemption center at 128 Samson Rock Drive will receive a public hearing Oct. 1.

The application from Rebecca Craft of Titan Services LLC calls for installing a stand-alone redemption center in the existing parking lot. The property is owned by Sherwood Island 44 LLC, according to the application.

Dusza moved to schedule the hearing, and Morgan seconded.

A separate application involving modifications to porch railings, a patio and a walkway at 908 Boston Post Road will receive a public hearing Sept. 3.

The commission also tabled until Sept. 3 an application by JL Boure LLC to install electric vehicle chargers in the parking lot at 1321 Boston Post Road.

Durham Road lot-line change approved

The commission approved a lot-line revision affecting properties at 1557, 1563 and 1577 Durham Road.

Attorney Michael Iacurci, representing the applicant, said the properties were created as part of the Eagle Meadow Section 1 subdivision. As part of settling the estate of Herta Halliwell, the middle lot will be eliminated and portions of it added to lots belonging to adjacent family members.

Morgan moved to approve the revision, and Commissioner Janet Peckinpaugh seconded.

The approval requires an accessory shed to maintain the minimum required setbacks from the new lot line. It takes effect Aug. 20 upon filing of the signed mylar on the land records.