This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Honey Bees, Historic Landmarks Discussed at Planning & Zoning Commission Special Meeting

Public input encouraged at Commission's first special meeting.

Raising honey bees, as well as preserving trees and historic sites are just three of the issues North Haven citizens raised at the special meeting of Planning & Zoning Commission last night at the Recreation Center.

After Commission chairman James Giulietti opened the meeting calling for public input on Planning & Zoning issues, community members stepped up and expressed themselves, calling for commission action.

Pam Slatten argued for amending a regulation that requires lots of more than two acres to raise animals, including honey bees.

Find out what's happening in North Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I would like to have bees,” she said. “I have a hive with nothing in it. I want to use it but I can’t unless I apply for a variance.”

She implored the commission to amend the regulation for Keeping of Animals, which is number 8.4.1.3 in the town’s zoning regulations.

Find out what's happening in North Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Steve Nugent, vice chairman of the Inland Wetlands Commission, requested a tree preservation ordinance to protect trees that may be cut down by developers of new properties. Enforcement of such an ordinance would require developers to preserve trees on their sites, which would contribute to the preservation of North Haven’s foliage.

Sue Iverson, a science teacher at North Haven High School and a North Haven Historical Society board member requested a delay of demolition ordinance that would be used to preserve historical buildings before they are torn down. Delaying demolition would allow salvage companies to remove items of historical significance and possibly encourage developers to avoid demolition altogether. She said other Connecticut towns have delay of demolition ordinances.

Prior to public comments, the Commission introduced a series of issues it plans to take action on, from the construction of sidewalks in high traffic areas to housing on Washington Avenue to the previously proposed blight ordinance.

Commission members generally approved of adding sidewalks, but Giulietti said it must be done on a piecemeal basis when site plan
applications for individual properties are being considered. When sidewalk repair was discussed, land use administrator Alan Fredricksen said property owners, not the town, are required to pay for the work.

The arrival of Quinnipiac University medical students has increased the need for housing in North Haven and the commission may take
action on applications for housing on northern Washington Avenue. Commission members called for mixed use units with retail establishments on the ground floor and cautioned against high rise buildings in residential neighborhoods.

The town of North Haven is in the process of enacting a blight ordinance, but the commission is unaware of current enforcement applications, according to vice chairman Theresa Ranciato-Viele.

“We need the ability to fine,” she said.

Other towns fine $100 a day for violations. In the past the town has sent cease and desist letters to delinquent property owners, but this has failed to solve the problem, which ranges from graffiti to overgrown grass, crumbling walls and junk cars on lots. The commission must enforce the new blight ordinance and other regulations that pertain to blight, Ranciato-Viele said.

The special meeting was the first the commission has held to actively seek public comments on P&Z issues.

“We’re proactive to development in the community,” Giulietti said.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?