Old Lyme Funeral Home Application Delayed As Zoning Commission Orders Review Of Regulations

OLD LYME, CT — The Old Lyme Zoning Commission unanimously voted Oct. 13 to have town officials repost and review zoning regulations following questions about whether the published rules match the version previously approved by the commission.

The action came as commissioners postponed consideration of a special permit application to convert an existing building at 100 Shore Road into a funeral home.

Commissioners also discussed the town's ongoing zoning regulation rewrite, regional housing needs and proposed improvements at two local parks.

Funeral Home Application To Be Resubmitted

Antanna Realty LLC, associated with Dubois Associates LLC, is seeking a special permit to convert the existing building at 100 Shore Road into a funeral home.

According to the meeting minutes, the applicant intends to withdraw and resubmit the application before the commission's next meeting.

Land Use Coordinator Eric Knapp requested that the application be refiled under the new zoning regulations and returned to the commission the following month.

During the discussion, commissioners raised concerns that the regulations published in the official record might differ from those the commission had voted to approve.

Commissioner Denise Savageau moved to direct Knapp to repost the regulations and reevaluate them at the commission's Nov. 9 meeting.

Bonnie Reemsnyder seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Commissioner Mary Jo Nosal also moved to waive all fees associated with the funeral home application, with Jane Marsh seconding. The minutes do not record a vote on that motion.

The public hearing on the funeral home proposal was postponed until the next meeting.

Zoning Regulation Rewrite Continues

The commission reviewed progress on the second phase of its comprehensive zoning regulation rewrite.

Members reported that the final community workshop had been completed and that information from focus group meetings had been posted on the town's website.

A public survey also had been posted, although commissioners had not yet reviewed the responses.

The commission discussed the remaining work needed to finalize the regulations and the consultant's role in that process.

Members said special meetings would likely be necessary to complete the project. Holding those meetings on the first Wednesday of each month was suggested.

The minutes identify September as the target month for completing the new regulations but do not specify a year.

Regional Housing Needs Under Review

Commissioners received an update on regional housing planning associated with Connecticut Public Act 25-1 and the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments, known as RiverCOG.

The regional housing needs model remains under development.

According to the discussion, planners are collecting census and other data on existing housing, population, renters, homeowners and local income levels.

The model is expected to consider current housing conditions, future demand and a target vacancy rate.

Commissioners discussed a target vacancy rate of 5 percent, compared with a reported current rate of 2.5 percent.

The discussion also referenced approximately 76,000 habitable housing units and a current housing need of 2,537 units.

The minutes do not establish that those figures apply specifically to Old Lyme rather than the broader region.

Little League Park Projects Discussion Postponed

The commission had scheduled an informal pre-application discussion with Lyme/Old Lyme Little League concerning proposed projects at Cross Lane and Town Woods parks.

The organization requested that the discussion be postponed until the following month.

Other Commission Business

The commission unanimously approved the minutes of its Sept. 14 meeting.

Commissioners also approved the minutes of their Sept. 15 special meeting by a vote of 4-0-1, with Chairman Paul Orzel abstaining.

No members of the public spoke during the public comment period, and no new applications were received.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

The commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Hall at 52 Lyme St.