West Hartford Council Denies RV Ordinance Change

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A proposal to tweak zoning regulations to allow recreational vehicles as accessory uses was shot down by town officials last month.

The West Hartford Town Council voted Jan. 27 to deny an application seeking to permit recreational vehicles as an accessory use in existing single-family residence districts.

The application, submitted by Michael Cervone, aimed to amend Sections 177-2 and 177-6 C of the West Hartford Zoning Ordinances.

The proposed changes would have allowed homeowners in single-family residential zones to keep recreational vehicles on their properties.

This type of use is currently restricted under the existing zoning regulations of the town.

During the council meeting, Deputy Mayor Debra Polun made a motion to deny the application.

Councilor Tiffani McGinnis seconded this motion, bringing the proposal to a vote before the full council.

The discussion leading up to the vote focused on the implications of such an ordinance change for residential areas.

The motion to deny the application ultimately carried with a significant majority.

Seven council members voted in favor of denying the ordinance amendment, with two supporting it.

Those voting to deny included West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and councilors John Lyons, Lisa Lazarus, McGinnis, Polun, Barry Walters, and Ben Wenograd.

Their votes indicated a preference to maintain the current zoning restrictions regarding recreational vehicles in single-family districts.

Councilors Gayle Harris and Jason Wang cast the two dissenting votes, indicating their support for the proposed amendment.

The decision means that recreational vehicles will continue to be regulated under the existing West Hartford Zoning Ordinances, without the proposed changes for accessory use in single-family residences.

The council's vote upholds the current framework for residential property use within the town.

For the minutes of the Jan. 27, West Hartford Town Council meeting and documents about the application, click on this link.