By Susan MacEachron

The major item on the agenda of the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting on Aug. 8 was the request from the Foundation for Norfolk Living (Foundation) for additional blasting to clear ledge on the Haystack Woods development site.  

In a previous P&Z public hearing, the foundation had secured approval to blast up to 12,000 cubic yards of ledge.  They had provided a map showing the blasting area.  Kate Johnson, president of the foundation, explained that additional ledge was discovered outside the boundary of the previously provided map.  She said they were seeking approval for blasting in the center island of the site.  Johnson explained that it was important to get all the required blasting accomplished while the Guerrera Construction crew was on site.

Bob Rossi, project manager for Guerrera Construction, said the additional blasting required is approximately 79 cubic yards. He noted it was not a significant increase over the 9,500 cubic yards they had assumed would be required and well within the 12,000 cubic yards approved.  Rossi described the process of probing to find ledge, blasting and probing further until they reach the edge of the ledge.  

P&Z determined that this request did not require a public hearing.  The new blasting plan was approved provided all the original conditions were followed and that the total amount blasted did not exceed the previously approved 12,000 cubic yards.

Zoning Enforcement Officer Michael Halloran reported on two complaints he had received. The first related to the large pile of gravel next to the firehouse.  An email from a Shepard Road neighbor said the site was being used as a “construction material depot.”  The complaint described the daily traffic from large trucks dumping material, followed by vehicles picking up loads for the road work on Maple Avenue. Halloran said he would speak to First Selectman Matt Riiska about using the town farm site located by the Transfer Station for temporary storage or seeking a special permit to use the firehouse site for this purpose. The pile has since been removed. 

The second issue was an inquiry from the homeowner at 14 Sunset Ridge Road regarding the town’s regulations on growing marijuana.  The homeowner described how her neighbor at 9 Sunset Hill Road put up three hoop houses and is growing marijuana plants with fans running 24 hours a day.  Halloran noted that effective July 1, 2023, the State of Connecticut allows private homeowners to grow up to three immature plants and three mature marijuana plants per person, with a limit of 12 per household.  He said it appeared many more were being grown in the backyard on Sunset Hill Road.  Halloran said he would send the homeowner a letter.