The Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, June 16. See the report and meeting video.
Approved
- Request to allow four attached single-family dwellings at 60 Brookside Avenue — Approved, Subject to a Second Call, 5-2 (Councilors Block and Lucas opposed); public hearing closed. The petitioner revised the project to two buildings instead of one, reduced living area across all four units, eliminated waivers for lot coverage and rear setback, increased open space, and increased the rear setback. Much of the discussion concerned a transformer proposed at the front of the property; approval was conditioned on the petitioner providing proof that the transformer’s placement meets Eversource’s published clearance and dimensional guidelines. Neighbors objected that the fourth unit does not fit a neighborhood of one- and two-family homes, while supporters favored four smaller, more affordable units over the by-right alternative. Approved subject to second call “with the condition that the petitioner provides proof of compliance with the written, existing Eversource guidelines for transformers.” Petition documents Draft order
Held
- Detached ADU with reduced setbacks and oversized dormers at 2 Rowe Street — 7-0; public hearing continued. The petitioner requested a continuance to revise the plans after a building code requirement for two stair means of egress from the ADU was identified. A disagreement among ISD, the architects, and Planning over the egress design must be resolved before the petition returns. Petition documents.
- Five attached single-family dwellings in two buildings at 83 Lexington Street — 7-0; public hearing continued. Planning noted the project seeks relief on thirteen items, including reduced lot area, reduced frontage, reduced open space, reduced side setbacks, and numerous parking waivers. Councilors were divided: some viewed thirteen items of relief as excessive for the lot size, while others saw the relief as reflecting zoning that disfavors smaller, compact units. The petitioner will provide transformer dimensions and address tree-replanting feedback before returning. Petition documents.
Present: Councilors Kelley (Chair), Leary, Irish, Block, Farrell, Lucas, and Roche.
Absent: Councilor Golden.
Also present: Councilors Albright, Malakie, Wright, and Oliver.
City staff: Sondria Berman, Senior Planner; Jonah Temple, Deputy City Solicitor; Zach Melcher, Planning Associate.