Land Use Enforcement Officer Seeks Zoning Compliance

By Andrew Gorosko

A local man with a background in aquatic science is now a member of the town’s land use staff, checking to ensure that development plans meet zoning requirements and also enforcing violations of the town’s land use regulations.

George Benson, 52, of Newtown, who is a limnologist by training, joined the land use enforcement staff earlier this year. Limnologists study the physical, chemical, and biological properties and features of fresh waters, especially lakes and ponds.

Mr Benson, who moved to town in 1992, works to enforce the zoning rules with Gary Frenette, who is the town’s zoning enforcement officer.

In an interview at the land use agency’s offices at 31 Peck’s Lane, Mr Benson said, “We’re really here to help the (zoning) applicants do it the right way.” The town wants the many development applications that it processes to conform to applicable regulations, he said.

Mr Benson said he spends most of his time handling zoning issues, occasionally helping out with wetlands matters. 

Before starting work at Newtown’s land use agency, Mr Benson worked for two years as a land use enforcement officer in Brookfield, where he handled zoning and wetlands matters.

Mr Benson’s work as a limnologist, or fresh water biologist, has provided him with a broad perspective on environmental and regulatory matters. In a scientific capacity, Mr Benson has worked on behalf of land use regulators, developers, lake associations, and the private owners of lakes and ponds.

Of his Newtown post, he said, “I enjoy it. People are really good on the staff.”

Mr Benson’s job includes accepting and handling complaints from the public concerning violations of the zoning regulations.

The land use enforcement officer said he spends about one-third of his time in the field on inspections. Such work includes investigating violations of the town’s sign regulations. The fieldwork also includes inspecting properties to ensure that the conditions on a site conform to terms of that site’s zoning permit.  

 Mr Benson also reviews proposed subdivisions of land to ensure that the plans meet applicable zoning rules. He also participates in the town’s “pre-application reviews,” in which applicants explain development proposals to town officials before they submit formal development applications.

Mr Benson said he most enjoys reviewing he details of development applications to ensure that they meet the zoning rules. “I like looking at new projects and analyzing them,” he said.

Of his enforcement philosophy,” Mr Benson said, “We give everybody the benefit of the doubt.”

Apparent violations result in investigations. If violations are found, discussions are held between the violator and the town. A letter from the town requiring zoning compliance may follow, if necessary. A letter from the town attorney may follow, if needed. Failure to comply with the zoning rules may lead to the town’s issuing a cease-and-desist order against a violator. If that fails, court action by the town against a violator to force compliance may be necessary.

“A lot of it (zoning enforcement) is education,” Mr Benson said, noting that many violators simply do not realize that they are violating the zoning regulations.

“People usually comply,” Mr Benson said. Most violations can be resolved without the need to go to court, he said. But, he added, there always will be a few people who are uncooperative in correcting zoning violations.

“I think we’re going in the right direction. It’s an ongoing (enforcement) project. You just have to keep up with it,” he said.

The town’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping has greatly aided land use enforcement, Mr Benson said. Such mapping helps in determining applicants’ compliance with the zoning rules, he noted.

Mr Benson holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Central Connecticut State University and a master’s degree in limnology and oceanography from Western Connecticut State University. He has studied wetlands issues with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Mr Benson’s land use enforcement post pays $46,575 annually.

Besides his town duties, Mr Benson heads Benson Environmental, Inc, a private limnology consulting firm.