By Susan MacEachron

At its four-hour meeting on Feb. 14, the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) devoted almost three hours to discussions on the proposed dog park (see page one article), but also addressed the Foundation for Norfolk Living’s request to crush rock at its Haystack Woods development site and individual homeowner special permits. 

Kate Johnson, president of the Foundation for Norfolk Living, reported that construction work on the road into the Haystack Woods site had unearthed some large rocks. She asked P&Z for permission to crush the stone on-site. The crushed stone could then be used for road fill. The alternative would be to truck the stone off-site for crushing and then truck it back. P&Z discussed the matter and concluded that no special permit was required and that Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO) Michael Halloran could give approval.  All agreed that since crushing is very noisy, permission would be granted on a one-time basis and the task should be completed in no more than two days.

On an unrelated matter, Johnson asked to discuss P&Z’s decision, at its January meeting, to require a special permit for the construction of a 340-square-foot structure at 64 Inner Rd.  Johnson said the concept of a bunk house was customary around Doolittle Lake and should not require obtaining a special permit and notifying neighboring property owners.  

P&Z discussed whether the prior month’s decision had been made by Halloran or by the commission. This distinction is important because a ZEO decision can be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals but a P&Z decision can only be appealed by going to court. P&Z concluded that it had made the decision regarding the special permit. Therefore, if Johnson chooses to dispute the decision, she must address her complaint to Connecticut Superior Court.

P&Z accepted an application from the owners of 105 Greenwoods Rd. for a special permit to convert their house into a two-family home. A public hearing was scheduled for March 14.