Ridgefield P&Z Approves Bed-And-Breakfast With Strict Limits, 3-Year Trial Period

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Planning & Zoning Commission voted Jan. 13 to approve a special permit for a small bed-and-breakfast in a pre-existing accessory structure, imposing strict limits on guest stays, vehicles and duration of approval following concerns from neighboring residents.

The application involves finishing the interior of an existing garage at 834 North Salem Road and operating it as a one-unit bed-and-breakfast. No expansion of the building footprint is proposed, according to project representative Zachary Trippodo, who presented the plans to the commission.

Trippodo said the structure, owned by Naomi and Glen Broomberg, would include a studio-style sleeping area with a bathroom and limited sink facilities. He described the proposal as a “passion project,” not a commercial operation, and said the owners do not intend to rent the space frequently or operate it as a high-turnover short-term rental.

Commissioners spent much of the meeting clarifying how the proposed use would be regulated. Town staff explained that the structure must first comply with accessory dwelling unit (ADU) requirements, including Health Department approval and a maximum size of 900 square feet, regardless of its use as a bed-and-breakfast.

Several commissioners raised concerns about traffic, safety and long-term impacts on neighbors, particularly because access to the property is via a shared private driveway. Neighboring property owners, spoke during the public hearing to oppose the application, citing pedestrian safety for young children, wear and tear on the shared access road, noise, and the risk that future owners could intensify the use.

Commissioners discussed a range of possible conditions to address those concerns, including limits on the number of guests, rental frequency, vehicle count and whether the approval should expire after a trial period.

After extended deliberation, the commission approved the special permit with multiple conditions. Under the approval, the bed-and-breakfast may host no more than four guests at a time, limited to no more than two rental stays per month and no more than 100 days per year. Guest vehicles are capped at two and must be parked on the applicant’s property, not on the shared driveway.

The approval also includes a three-year expiration date. The applicants may return to the commission to request an extension, which commissioners said would allow the town and neighbors to evaluate how the use functions over time.

Additional conditions require compliance with town noise regulations, exterior lighting standards, and separate zoning and Health Department approvals for the accessory dwelling unit.

The vote was not unanimous, with one commissioner voting against the approval.

In a separate action later in the meeting, the commission unanimously approved a six-month extension of the town’s temporary and limited development moratorium, pushing its expiration to June 30, 2026. Commissioners said the extension will allow additional time to complete zoning regulation updates and planning work, including revisions affecting the Branchville area.