Simsbury Zoning Board of Appeals September 16, 2026 Public Hearing

Zoning Board of Appeals September 16, 2026

The Zoning Board of Appeals is an elected body responsible for the review of variance applications, in which the literal application of the zoning regulations would create an exceptional difficulty or unusual hardship.

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The Town states, "The applicant is requesting a variance to allow the use of internal illumination for a new message board near the sports facilities centrally located within Simsbury Farms at 100 Old Farms Road. The message board would display important information about the complex such as closures, upcoming events, or other announcements. The regulations do not allow lights or screens to make up the letters or symbols of a sign. However, a hardship may exist due to the large parcel size and the multi-faceted uses of the property."

Under Connecticut zoning law, the Zoning Board of Appeals has very strict rules. They cannot grant a variance just because a sign is convenient or helpful; the applicant must prove a true legal hardship.

What Fails This Test: Operational needs, such as wanting an electronic sign to change activity calendars quickly, are personal or organizational preferences.

The literal application of the zoning regulations would create an exceptional difficulty or unusual hardship. The specific reasons for a property at Simsbury Farms (100 Old Farms Road) to apply for a zoning variance revolve around installing a modern internally illuminated (LED Display) monument sign.

The Town's Parks and Recreation Director (acting as the applicant for the town-owned property) filed a formal application (ZBA #26-13) to seek relief from strict local zoning codes for the following primary reasons:

Request for Internal LED Illumination

"The most significant reason for the variance application is to bypass Section 9.3 of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations which restricts or prohibits specific types of lighted signage in residential zones. Simsbury Farms sits within an R-40 (Residential) zone. Standard residential regulations generally forbid commercial-grade, internally lit digital message boards to preserve the rural character of the neighborhood. The variance is required to legally permit the electronic display.

The property requires a variance to establish a dynamic "message sign" that can quickly broadcast changing community information. Because Simsbury Farms is a massive recreational complex housing a public pool, ice rink, golf course, and fitness trails, the property needs a way to communicate."

I would like to have this application denied on many grounds.

This application does not enhance public safety and communication

There is no reason to create a problem that doesn't exist.

This sign would be more of distraction than an enhancement.

The Town website has all the information needed for visitors.

Presently there are lights and roads within the complex to find any and all attractions.

Signage already exists on all facilities

The town should not approve an application for spot zoning.

This application, if approved would create more unintended consequences paving the way for more LED illumination on other properties.

Simsbury should not become a Las Vegas strip with flashing lights and displays.

Funding from the Friends of Simsbury Farms with a $15,000 donation is not reason to create a variance that is not needed.

Please deny the application.