Council Sets Hearings On Design Board And Historic District

If you have any feelings about the way visitors perceive Newtown as they drive into the community on any of its paved roadways, make plans to be at the C.H. Booth Library August 18 at 6:45 pm.

The Legislative Council is considering an ordinance that would establish a Newtown Design Advisory Board, and it is seeking public comment on the plan.

According to the proposal, that board would be created, “…for the purpose of reviewing proposed commercial developments within the town…in designated design districts that are adopted by the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC).”

“The PZC has already adopted a design district in Hawleyville, and others may be possibly established in Sandy Hook and on Lower Route 25,” explained the council’s Ordinance Subcommittee Chairman Francis Pennarola. “The design districts would provide guidelines for developers and property owners, and would establish design consistency of style for the areas.”

He said the board would be comprised of three representatives including design professionals and/or architects.

“The representatives would meet with property owners before their PZC meeting,” Mr Pennarola said. “Their advisories would not be binding, but would attempt to ensure that the main public entryways into the town look as good as possible.”

If this ordinance is adopted, Mr Pennarola admitted, it probably would not be used very often. “It’s basically an acknowledgement by the PZC that they don’t have as much expertise and input as they feel they need from a design standpoint,” he said.

According to the language in the ordinance, those volunteer representatives would have particular expertise in architecture, landscaping, urban design or urban planning, and would be appointed by the first selectman to a two-year term. The board would also provide general advice regarding the implementation of community design districts.

Historic District Change

The Legislative Council also plans to conduct a public hearing on a change to the ordinance that established the Hattertown Historic District.

“The district is looking to add a particular parcel of land, which has a residential building,” Mr Pennarola said. “The district representatives and the property owner want to preserve the structure.”

He said if the amendment wasn’t created, a new owner might have the wherewithal to install a nonconforming building on the site, which would not be consistent with other properties already in the district’s jurisdiction.

Specifically, the ordinance amendment would accommodate the property at 8 Hi Barlow Road.