Date: Fri 19-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-rear-lots-

Full Text:

Lines Drawn In Debate Over One-Acre Rear Lots

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have proposed eliminating zoning

regulations that allow rear house lots in one-acre residential zones - an idea

that drew support and opposition at a July 11 public hearing.

P&Z members didn't act on the proposal. Action is expected at an upcoming P&Z

session.

Jack McGarvey, head of the Rocky Glen Area Association, said he supports

eliminating rear lots in one-acre residential zones. The association has

spearheaded opposition to the Whispering Pines residential development

proposal in Sandy Hook, a proposed 16-lot subdivision on 26 acres that

contains one-acre, rear-lot zoning.

Those who complain about rear lots in one-acre zones contend that such zoning

creates unacceptably high housing densities.

Norman Nagy of Cold Spring Road said that even if rear house lots are repealed

for areas with one-acre zoning, future housing densities in those places would

remain the same because developers would simply build longer roads to create

more house lots.

Richard Eigen of J. Appleseed Drive said he recently learned of the P&Z's

intention to eliminate rear lots in one-acre zones. He asked that action on

the matter be postponed. Decisions made by the P&Z should be based on the

public health, safety and welfare, he said. Mr Eigen said he owns land on J.

Appleseed Lane that has the potential to become a residential rear lot.

Attorney Robert Hall said he completely favors the P&Z's proposal. "I am 100

percent in favor of this change," he said. Squeezing rear lots into areas with

one-acre zoning diminishes the quality and privacy of an area, he said.

For 14 years the town allowed rear-lot zoning only in areas with two-acre and

three-acre residential zoning, he said, noting he found it hard to believe it

when the P&Z approved allowing rear lots in one-acre zones last year.

Although one-acre rear lots should be repealed, doing so immediately wouldn't

be fair to people who have bought land with the intent of developing it with

its one-acre rear lot construction potential in mind, Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall suggested that the P&Z delay by 90 days any action to repeal one-acre

rear lots.

Jane Macomber of Parmalee Place, a member of the Newtown Neighborhoods

Coalition, said it's a good idea to eliminate one-acre rear lots. Newtown

would be a better town if such zoning is eliminated, she said.

Developer Charles Tilson said if the one-acre rear lot rule is repealed, it

could mean he would lose six or seven potential rear lots. Though, he added,

he could build more roadways to open up that land for development.

Mr Tilson asked the P&Z to provide him with more time to get one-acre rear

house lots approved for development. He asked that any elimination of such

lots be delayed by six months to one year.

John Stefanko of Philo Curtis Road said he opposes one-acre rear lots, noting

that Housatonic Habitat for Humanity, Inc, has proposed the construction of

two affordable houses behind his house. Such a two-house project is made

possible by one-acre rear lot zoning, he said. Mr Stefanko has opposed the

affordable housing proposal.

Kurt Gillis of Jeremiah Road, a neighborhood coalition member, endorsed the

elimination of one-acre rear lots. Although such a change in the rules isn't a

total answer to development problems, it's a start, he said.

Eric Roundy of Buttonball Drive, vice president of the Rocky Glen Area

Association, commended P&Z members' proposal to eliminate one-acre, rear-lot

zoning. Lower residential construction densities are good, he said.

"I think the cut-off should be soon," he added. "I think we've woken up and

the townspeople have begun to worry."

Kathryn Taubert of Greenleaf Farms Road, said it was she and her husband, Al,

who last year hired Attorney Stephen Wippermann to seek amended zoning rules

allowing rear lots in one-acre zones. The Tauberts then created a rear lot on

Walnut Tree Hill Road, she said. Mrs Taubert said she doesn't necessarily

favor or oppose zoning regulations which allow such one-acre, rear lots.

Developer Thomas Maguire said he favors eliminating rear lot one-acre zoning,

but only after a 60-day or 90-day period passes, so that people who bought

land with such zoning in mind are able to get their development applications

submitted to the town before the submission deadline passes.

After the public hearing closed, P&Z Chairman Stephen Adams said he would like

to consider comments made at the session before the commission acts on the

proposal to eliminate one-acre rear lot zoning.