Haddam, CT Zoning Ordinance

In dividing the Town of Haddam into zones, it is to be recognized that there are certain uses which may be necessary to the Town but which may be detrimental to its neighbors if proper safeguards are not taken. The Planning and Zoning Commission must evaluate the impact of such uses upon neighboring uses and surrounding areas and decide whether or not to grant a special permit for such uses.

The Planning and Zoning Commission may, upon application, authorize the issuance of special permits where required for specific uses and for specific times within these regulations. In authorizing the issuance of a special permit, the Commission shall take into consideration the public health, safety and welfare and shall prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards to ensure the accomplishment of the following objectives:

That all proposed structures, equipment or material shall be readily accessible for fire and police protection.

That the proposed use shall be of such location, size, and character that it will be in harmony with the appropriate and orderly development of the zone, the neighborhood and the Town and will not be detrimental to established properties in the area.

In furtherance of this objective, the Commission may refuse to grant a special permit if it has reasonable cause to believe:

That the proximity of the proposed special permit use will have a detrimental effect upon any church, school, library, public playground or similar facility or use.

That the number of similar special permit uses in the vicinity is such that the granting of a new special permit is detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare.

The location and size of such use, the nature and intensity of operations involved in or conducted in connection therewith, its site layout and its relation to access streets shall be such that both pedestrian and vehicular traffic to and from and in the vicinity of the use will not be hazardous or inconvenient to or detrimental to the character of the zone or conflict with the traffic characteristics of the neighborhood.

The location and height of buildings, the location, nature and height of walls and fences, and the nature and extent of landscaping on the site shall be such that the use will not hinder or discourage the appropriate development and use of adjacent land and buildings or impair the value thereof.

All applications for uses requiring the issuance of a special permit shall be accompanied by a site plan in conformance with Article XVIII of these regulations.

The Planning and Zoning Commission shall, within 65 days of receipt of a complete application for a special permit, including all supporting documents, hold a public hearing. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the Town at least twice, at intervals of not less than two days, the first not more than 15 days, nor less than 10 days, and the last not less than two days before the date of such hearing. The Commission shall act on the application not later than 65 days after such hearing. Whether the Commission grants or denies a special permit, it shall state upon its records the reason for its decision. Notice of the decision of the Commission shall be addressed by certified mail to the applicant in writing within 15 days after such decision has been rendered. Notice of the action of the Commission shall be published in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the Town within 15 days after such action has been taken.

Bonds. To assure conformance with all proposals, excluding buildings, shown on an approved site plan, a performance bond in an amount determined by the Commission may be required. Should a bond be required, it shall comply with the bonding regulations of Article XXXI.

A special permit granted by the Commission shall become effective upon the filing of a copy thereof in the Office of the Town Clerk and in the Land Records of the Town in accordance with C.G.S. § 8-3d, as amended.

The site of the permit shall be visited not less than every two years by the Zoning Enforcement Officer to check for conformity with these regulations and any condition of the permit.

Any special permit is subject to revocation in accordance with the provisions of Article XXXIII.