Property Owners Hope To Meet With P&Z

By Andrew Gorosko

The Newtown Property Owners Association met Monday night in its continuing drive to organize opposition to the Planning and Zoning Commission’s (P&Z) proposal to “upzone” extensive residential sections of town.

Barry Piesner, of 34 Alpine Drive in Riverside, the chairman of the board of directors of the fledging group, said Tuesday the association hopes to meet publicly with P&Z representatives to discuss the implications of upzoning and the town’s policy of sewer avoidance.

Mr Piesner said the association is seeking ways to fund an expanded municipal sewer system to resolve groundwater pollution problems caused by failing septic systems.

“We’re happy that [P&Z] not rushing to have a vote on the [upzoning] proposal,” Mr Piesner said.

The upzoning proposal drew opposition from residents at P&Z public hearings in February and December. Affected residents say they are unconvinced that upzoning is necessary, adding they fear that increasing minimum residential zoning standards would damage their properties’ development potential, and thus reduce the value of their real estate.  

P&Z’s underlying goal in upzoning is protecting groundwater quality, both in the town’s Aquifer Protection District (APD), which lies atop the Pootatuck Aquifer in south-central Newtown, and also in the several lakeside communities in Sandy Hook lying on the eastern edge of town along Lake Zoar, including Shady Rest, Pootatuck Park, Riverside, Cedarhurst and Great Quarter. The comprehensive rezoning proposal covers an aggregate area greater than 2,500 acres. It affects approximately 2,315 properties, almost 2,000 of which have dwellings on them.

Under the proposal, some residential properties with current ½-acre zoning would have zoning designations increased to either 1 acre or 2 acres, depending upon their location. Other properties with current 1-acre residential zoning would be increased to 2 acres. Such upzoning is intended to decrease potential construction densities, and hence decrease threats to groundwater quality.

P&Z Chairman Daniel Fogliano has said, “The proposed zone changes will not prevent owners from building new residences on existing lots, and the changes will not prevent owners from upgrading their properties, including constructing additions.”

The P&Z chairman has urged residents to contact the town land use office in Canaan House at Fairfield Hills or the community development office in Edmond Town Hall with any questions on the topic.