CHAPTER 124*
ZONING

(a) Any municipality may, by vote of its legislative body, adopt the provisions of this chapter and exercise through a zoning commission the powers granted hereunder. On and after July 1, 1974, in each municipality, except as otherwise provided by special act or charter provision adopted under chapter 99, the zoning commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than nine members, with minority representation as determined under section 9-167a, who shall be electors of such municipality. The number of such members and the method of selection and removal for cause and terms of office shall be determined by ordinance, provided no such ordinance shall designate the legislative body of such municipality to act as such zoning commission, except that (1) in towns having a population of less than five thousand, the selectmen may be empowered by such ordinance to act as such zoning commission, (2) a legislative body which is acting as a zoning commission prior to July 1, 1974, pursuant to an ordinance, may continue to act as such zoning commission if such municipality has initiated a charter revision pursuant to section 7-188, prior to July 1, 1974, which revision proposes to designate such legislative body as the zoning commission, and such charter revision is approved as provided in section 7-191, and (3) a legislative body which is acting as a zoning commission prior to June 17, 1987, pursuant to a special act may continue to act as such zoning commission. The manner for filling vacancies arising from any cause shall be provided by vote of the legislative body.
(b) The zoning commission of any town shall have jurisdiction over that part of the town outside of any city or borough contained therein except that the legislative body of any city or borough may, by ordinance, designate the zoning commission of the town in which such city or borough is situated as the zoning commission of such city or borough.
(1949 Rev., S. 836; 1951, S. 156b; 1953, S. 373d; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 41; 1959, P.A. 614, S. 1; P.A. 73-256; P.A. 74- 232, S. 1, 2; P.A. 75-629, S. 1; P.A. 87-278, S. 3, 5.)
History: 1959 act authorized ordinances determining method of removal for cause and authorized legislative body to determine manner of filling vacancies; P.A. 73-256 established membership of zoning commission as "not less than five nor more than nine members with minority representation as determined under section 9-167a", effective July 1, 1974, unless otherwise provided and prohibited legislative body from acting as zoning commission reversing previous provision allowing such double duty; P.A. 74-232 set forth special conditions under which legislative body may act as zoning commission; P.A. 75-629 divided section into subsections and set forth conditions under which town commission serves as commission for city or borough within its limits; P.A. 87-278 added Subdiv. (3) of Subsec. (a) concerning legislative bodies acting as a zoning commission pursuant to a special act.
See Secs. 1-1 and 9-1 for applicable definitions.
See Sec. 9-209 re certification of terms of office and number of members of planning and zoning boards or commissions.
See Sec. 22a-354n re delineation of aquifer protection areas on maps.
Extent of zoning authority of city. 110 C. 101, 102. Establishment of commission is act of town, not legislature; optional with town to adopt and to terminate zoning system. 118 C. 6. Cited. 131 C. 299; 132 C. 216; 133 C. 234. Reference to special act explained. 133 C. 251. Town meeting may not amend or repeal regulations duly made by commission. 133 C. 596. Cited. 138 C. 500; 141 C. 349; 143 C. 448. Once a municipality has established a zoning commission, it cannot regulate its actions, except as expressly provided in its municipal charter. 148 C. 33. Cited. 148 C. 299; 149 C. 411. Municipality's legislative body must pass on act in which the intent to utilize the zoning provisions of the enabling act is expressed. 152 C. 237. Where legislative body of city of Hartford never took action to adopt chapter, provisions do not apply to city except where the legislature makes sections applicable to all municipalities. 155 C. 360. Until chapter is adopted by legislative body of municipality in manner provided, section 8-7 does not apply to hearings before its zoning board of appeals. Id., 422. Cited. 157 C. 308, 552. The mere fact that one not a member of a zoning commission served as moderator of a commission meeting does not invalidate the meeting in absence of a showing the meeting was conducted illegally. 166 C. 207. Cited. 167 C. 579. Cited. 170 C. 61, 62. Cited. 189 C. 261, 263. Cited. 208 C. 267, 274. Cited. 214 C. 400, 405. Cited. 216 C. 112, 122. Cited. 220 C. 584, 595, 598.
Cited. 21 CA 351, 356.
Cited. 5 CS 195. Members of zoning board are not agents or employees of a town. They constitute a legal entity. 12 CS 192. Cited. 13 CS 59; 14 CS 246. Limitation put on town's authority to avoid duplication with political subdivision. 14 CS 258. Compared with former statute. 15 CS 413. Cited. 18 CS 45; 19 CS 446. Municipality must adhere minutely to enabling act when adopting zoning ordinance. 21 CS 78. Failure of board of burgesses to formally adopt enabling act held to invalidate subsequent zoning ordinance. Id. Omission of zoning powers from enumeration of specific powers granted to towns under Home Rule Act compels conclusion that legislature did not intend that any action under said act should alter the declared law under this statute. 25 CS 378, 379. Zoning regulations adopted prior to new charter which contains no zoning regulation powers, prevail over charter and zoning commission could appoint its own agent as zoning enforcement officer of the town. 28 CS 278. Cited. 28 CS 419.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 220 C. 584, 597.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

"Municipality" as used in this chapter shall include a district establishing a zoning commission under section 7-326. Wherever the words "town" and "selectmen" appear in this chapter, they shall be deemed to include "district" and "officers of such district", respectively.
(1959, P.A. 577, S. 1.)
Cited. 212 C. 375, 380. Cited. 216 C. 112, 122.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Sec. 8-1b. Alternate members of zoning commission or combined planning and zoning commission. Any town, city or borough, in addition to such powers as it has under the provisions of the general statutes or any special act, shall have the power to provide by ordinance for the appointment or election of alternate members to its zoning commission or combined planning and zoning commission. Such alternate members shall, when seated as herein provided, have all the powers and duties set forth in the general statutes or any special act relating to such municipality for such commission and its members. Such alternate members shall be electors and shall not be members of the zoning board of appeals or planning commission. Such ordinance shall provide for the manner of designating alternates to act.
(1963, P.A. 249; February, 1965, P.A. 280; 1971, P.A. 763, S. 1; P.A. 84-154, S. 1, 3; P.A. 85-284, S. 1, 5.)
History: 1965 act provided option of electing alternate members; 1971 act deleted provision concerning alternate members of planning commissions, forbade members of planning commission to serve as alternate members of zoning commission and deleted provisions concerning selection of alternate by member he is to substitute for, giving chairman sole power to make selection; P.A. 84-154 provided for mandatory appointment or election of alternates, effective January 1, 1986; P.A. 85-284 repealed provisions of P.A. 84-154 and provided that local ordinances shall provide for the manner of designating alternates to act.
See Sec. 8-19a re alternate members of planning commission.
Cited. 168 C. 20.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Any municipality may, by ordinance, establish a schedule of reasonable fees for the processing of applications by a municipal zoning commission, planning commission, combined planning and zoning commission, zoning board of appeals or inland wetlands commission. Such schedule shall supersede any specific fees set forth in the general statutes, or any special act or established by a planning commission under section 8-26.
(P.A. 82-282; P.A. 93-124, S. 2; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 9, 130.)
History: P.A. 93-124 added reference to planning commissions for consistency with 1993 changes to the general statutes; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 made technical change, effective July 1, 1994.
Town has broad authority under section to define subdivision application processing fees by ordinance subject only to the standard of reasonableness. 232 C. 44, 45, 47—56.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Any municipality may, by ordinance, establish an hour at or after which public hearings shall be held by its planning commission, zoning commission, combined planning and zoning commission, zoning board of appeals and inland wetlands agency.
(P.A. 89-175, S. 2, 7.)

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Reserved for future use.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

As used in section 8-2:
(1) "Traprock ridge" means Beacon Hill, Saltonstall Mountain, Totoket Mountain, Pistapaug Mountain, Fowler Mountain, Beseck Mountain, Higby Mountain, Chauncey Peak, Lamentation Mountain, Cathole Mountain, South Mountain, East Peak, West Peak, Short Mountain, Ragged Mountain, Bradley Mountain, Pinnacle Rock, Rattlesnake Mountain, Talcott Mountain, Hatchett Hill, Peak Mountain, West Suffield Mountain, Cedar Mountain, East Rock, Mount Sanford, Prospect Ridge, Peck Mountain, West Rock, Sleeping Giant, Pond Ledge Hill, Onion Mountain, The Sugarloaf, The Hedgehog, West Mountains, The Knolls, Barndoor Hills, Stony Hill, Manitook Mountain, Rattlesnake Hill, Durkee Hill, East Hill, Rag Land, Bear Hill, Orenaug Hills;
(2) "Amphibolite ridge" means Huckleberry Hill, East Hill, Ratlum Hill, Mount Hoar, Sweetheart Mountain;
(3) "Ridgeline" means the line on a traprock or amphibolite ridge created by all points at the top of a fifty per cent slope, which is maintained for a distance of fifty horizontal feet perpendicular to the slope and which consists of surficial basalt geology, identified on the map prepared by Stone et al., United States Geological Survey, entitled "Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut";
(4) "Ridgeline setback area" means the area bounded by (A) a line that parallels the ridgeline at a distance of one hundred fifty feet on the more wooded side of the ridge, and (B) the contour line where a ridge of less than fifty per cent is maintained for fifty feet or more on the rockier side of the slope, mapped pursuant to section 8-2;
(5) "Development" means the construction, reconstruction, alteration, or expansion of a building; and
(6) "Building" means any structure other than (A) a facility as defined in section 16-50i or (B) structures of a relatively slender nature compared to the buildings to which they are associated, including but not limited to chimneys, flagpoles, antennas, utility poles and steeples.
(P.A. 95-239, S. 1; P.A. 98-105, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 83, 121.)
History: P.A. 98-105 added new Subdiv. (2) defining "amphibolite ridge", renumbering existing Subdivs. accordingly, and made technical corrections; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 made technical corrections, effective June 24, 1998.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

(a) The zoning commission of each city, town or borough is authorized to regulate, within the limits of such municipality, the height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures; the percentage of the area of the lot that may be occupied; the size of yards, courts and other open spaces; the density of population and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes, including water-dependent uses as defined in section 22a- 93, and the height, size and location of advertising signs and billboards. Such bulk regulations may allow for cluster development as defined in section 8-18. Such zoning commission may divide the municipality into districts of such number, shape and area as may be best suited to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and, within such districts, it may regulate the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration or use of buildings or structures and the use of land. All such regulations shall be uniform for each class or kind of buildings, structures or use of land throughout each district, but the regulations in one district may differ from those in another district, and may provide that certain classes or kinds of buildings, structures or uses of land are permitted only after obtaining a special permit or special exception from a zoning commission, planning commission, combined planning and zoning commission or zoning board of appeals, whichever commission or board the regulations may, notwithstanding any special act to the contrary, designate, subject to standards set forth in the regulations and to conditions necessary to protect the public health, safety, convenience and property values. Such regulations shall be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan and in adopting such regulations the commission shall consider the plan of conservation and development prepared under section 8-23. Such regulations shall be designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic, flood and other dangers; to promote health and the general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population and to facilitate the adequate provision for transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements. Such regulations shall be made with reasonable consideration as to the character of the district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout such municipality. Such regulations may, to the extent consistent with soil types, terrain, infrastructure capacity and the plan of conservation and development for the community, provide for cluster development, as defined in section 8-18, in residential zones. Such regulations shall also encourage the development of housing opportunities, including opportunities for multifamily dwellings, consistent with soil types, terrain and infrastructure capacity, for all residents of the municipality and the planning region in which the municipality is located, as designated by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management under section 16a-4a. Such regulations shall also promote housing choice and economic diversity in housing, including housing for both low and moderate income households, and shall encourage the development of housing which will meet the housing needs identified in the housing plan prepared pursuant to section 8-37t and in the housing component and the other components of the state plan of conservation and development prepared pursuant to section 16a-26. Zoning regulations shall be made with reasonable consideration for their impact on agriculture. Zoning regulations may be made with reasonable consideration for the protection of historic factors and shall be made with reasonable consideration for the protection of existing and potential public surface and ground drinking water supplies. On and after July 1, 1985, the regulations shall provide that proper provision be made for soil erosion and sediment control pursuant to section 22a- 329. Such regulations may also encourage energy-efficient patterns of development, the use of solar and other renewable forms of energy, and energy conservation. The regulations may also provide for incentives for developers who use passive solar energy techniques, as defined in subsection (b) of section 8-25, in planning a residential subdivision development. The incentives may include, but not be limited to, cluster development, higher density development and performance standards for roads, sidewalks and underground facilities in the subdivision. Such regulations may provide for a municipal system for the creation of development rights and the permanent transfer of such development rights, which may include a system for the variance of density limits in connection with any such transfer. Such regulations may also provide for notice requirements in addition to those required by this chapter. Such regulations may provide for conditions on operations to collect spring water or well water, as defined in section 21a-150, including the time, place and manner of such operations. No such regulations shall prohibit the operation of any family day care home or group day care home in a residential zone. Such regulations shall not impose conditions and requirements on manufactured homes having as their narrowest dimension twenty-two feet or more and built in accordance with federal manufactured home construction and safety standards or on lots containing such manufactured homes which are substantially different from conditions and requirements imposed on single-family dwellings and lots containing single-family dwellings. Such regulations shall not impose conditions and requirements on developments to be occupied by manufactured homes having as their narrowest dimension twenty-two feet or more and built in accordance with federal manufactured home construction and safety standards which are substantially different from conditions and requirements imposed on multifamily dwellings, lots containing multifamily dwellings, cluster developments or planned unit developments. Such regulations shall not prohibit the continuance of any nonconforming use, building or structure existing at the time of the adoption of such regulations. Such regulations shall not provide for the termination of any nonconforming use solely as a result of nonuse for a specified period of time without regard to the intent of the property owner to maintain that use. Any city, town or borough which adopts the provisions of this chapter may, by vote of its legislative body, exempt municipal property from the regulations prescribed by the zoning commission of such city, town or borough; but unless it is so voted municipal property shall be subject to such regulations.
(b) In any municipality that is contiguous to Long Island Sound the regulations adopted under this section shall be made with reasonable consideration for restoration and protection of the ecosystem and habitat of Long Island Sound and shall be designed to reduce hypoxia, pathogens, toxic contaminants and floatable debris in Long Island Sound. Such regulations shall provide that the commission consider the environmental impact on Long Island Sound of any proposal for development.
(c) In any municipality where a traprock ridge, as defined in section 8-1aa, or an amphibolite ridge, as defined in section 8-1aa, is located the regulations may provide for development restrictions in ridgeline setback areas, as defined in said section. The regulations may restrict quarrying and clear cutting, except that the following operations and uses shall be permitted in ridgeline setback areas, as of right: (1) Emergency work necessary to protect life and property; (2) any nonconforming uses that were in existence and that were approved on or before the effective date of regulations adopted under this section; and (3) selective timbering, grazing of domesticated animals and passive recreation.
(1949 Rev., S. 837; November, 1955, S. N10; 1959, P.A. 614, S. 2; 661; 1961, P.A. 569; 1963, P.A. 133; 1967, P.A. 801; P.A. 77-509, S. 1; P.A. 78-314, S. 1; P.A. 80-327, S. 1; P.A. 81-334, S. 2; P.A. 83-388, S. 6, 9; P.A. 84-263; P.A. 85- 91, S. 2, 5; 85-279, S. 3; P.A. 87-215, S. 1, 7; 87-232; 87-474, S. 1; 87-490, S. 1; P.A. 88-105, S. 2; 88-203, S. 1; P.A. 89- 277, S. 1; P.A. 91-170, S. 1; 91-392, S. 1; 91-395, S. 1, 11; P.A. 92-50; P.A. 93-385, S. 3; P.A. 95-239, S. 2; 95-335, S. 14, 26; P.A. 97-296, S. 2, 4; P.A. 98-105, S. 3.)
History: 1959 acts required that regulations be uniform for use of land in district and authorized requirement of special permits or exceptions; 1961 act deleted provision authorizing reconstruction of nonconforming structure destroyed or damaged by fire or casualty provided cost be less than fifty per cent of fair market value of property and reconstruction be commenced within six months; 1963 act allowed municipality to exempt municipal property from zoning regulations; 1967 act specified that special acts contrary to provision re special permits or special exceptions have no bearing; P.A. 77- 509 allowed considerations of historic factors, sedimentation control and erosion in zoning regulations; P.A. 78-314 allowed regulations to encourage energy-efficient development, energy conservation and use of renewable forms of energy; P.A. 80-327 allowed consideration of water supply protection; P.A. 81-334 authorized regulations to provide for incentives for developers using passive solar energy techniques; P.A. 83-388 required provision be made for soil erosion and sediment control, effective July 1, 1985; P.A. 84-263 provided the regulations shall encourage the development of housing opportunities for all citizens of the municipality consistent with soil types, terrain and infrastructure capacity (Revisor's note: P.A. 84-263, which took effect on October 1, 1984, incorporated the amendment enacted by P.A. 83-388, but the Revisors are of the opinion that (1) this in no way changed the July 1, 1985, effective date of the 1983 act, and (2) the further amendment in the 1984 act took effect on October 1, 1984); P.A. 85-91 specified the date by which provision for soil erosion and sediment control is required; P.A. 85-279 made consideration of the protection of surface water and groundwater mandatory where before it had been discretionary; P.A. 87-215 authorized regulations to provide for additional notice requirements; P.A. 87-232 provided that no regulations shall prohibit the operation of any family day care home or group day care home in a residential zone; P.A. 87-474 clarified authority to regulate water-dependent uses; P.A. 87-490 inserted provisions concerning creation and transfer of development rights; P.A. 88-105 required zoning regulations to be made with reasonable consideration for their impact on agriculture; P.A. 88-203 added provisions re imposition of conditions and requirements on certain manufactured homes and developments to be occupied by certain manufactured homes; P.A. 89-277 added provision specifying that the regulations shall not provide for the termination of a nonconforming use solely as a result of nonuse without regard to intent; P.A. 91-170 designated existing language as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re regulations in municipalities contiguous to Long Island Sound; P.A. 91-392 required regulations to encourage opportunities for multifamily dwellings for residents of municipality and planning region, to promote housing choice and economic diversity in housing and to encourage housing development consistent with the state housing plan and the state plan of conservation and development; P.A. 91-395 authorized adoption of regulations under this section to provide for cluster development; P.A. 92-50 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate reference to adoption of regulations in accordance with the comprehensive plan and substituted consideration of the plan of development in lieu thereof; P.A. 93-385 amended Subsec. (a) by requiring that regulations be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan; P.A. 95-239 added Subsec. (c) re development restrictions in ridgeline setback areas (Revisor's note: Uppercase alphabetic Subdiv. indicators were replaced editorially by the Revisors with numeric indicators for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 95-335 amended Subsec. (a) to change "plan of development" to "plan of conservation and development", effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 97-296 amended Subsec. (a) to allow regulations to provide for conditions on operations to collect spring or well water, effective July 8, 1997; P.A. 98-105 amended Subsec. (c) to provide for protection of amphibolite ridgelines.
Regulation prohibiting in light industrial zone a use noxious by reason of odor, dust, gas or smoke has rational relation to health and public welfare. 110 C. 102. Exclusion from residential zones of buildings devoted to most business uses is proper. 110 C. 138. "Farming" in regulation construed. 113 C. 53. Where change in regulations seriously affects value of property of an individual. 123 C. 286. Not a violation of this section to treat signs referring to business on property where signs stand differently from signs not so related to such a business. 131 C. 304. What constitutes a zoning regulation. 131 C. 647. Cited. 123 C. 264; 126 C. 237; 132 C. 216; 134 C. 293. To permit business in small area within residential zone may fall within scope of a "comprehensive plan," and unless it amounts to unreasonable or arbitrary action, is not unlawful. 136 C. 89. Change of zone for small area can be made only if it falls within requirements of comprehensive plan. 136 C. 452. Ordinance valid as meeting requirements of enabling act if plan is comprehensive as to territory, public needs and time and if it promotes public welfare. 138 C. 434. Action of commission was spot zoning. 139 C. 59. Extension of industrial zone into residential area is proper if in accord with comprehensive plan and general welfare. 139 C. 603. Requires zoning regulations be expressive of plan which is comprehensive and promotes public welfare. 141 C. 349. Zoning regulations shall be made in accordance with "a comprehensive plan" which is general plan to control and direct use and development of property in municipality or large part thereof by dividing it into districts according to present and potential use of properties. 142 C. 265. Zoning regulations must be made upon reasonable consideration of character of district and its peculiar suitability for particular purposes and with view to conserving value of buildings and encouraging most appropriate use of land throughout the town. 142 C. 580. Cited. 143 C. 280. Zoning commission and not town meeting authorized to divide municipality into districts and to regulate erection or use of buildings or structures and use of land. 143 C. 448. Power to determine what are needs of town with reference to use of real property and to legislate in such manner that those needs will be satisfied vests exclusively in zoning commission. 143 C. 542. Comprehensive plan in accordance with which zoning regulations are to be adopted is such a plan as zoning commission devises. 144 C. 117. Permits change in zonal classification only when change is made in accordance with comprehensive plan. 144 C. 160. Regulations should be made in accordance with comprehensive plan. 144 C. 560. Elements of spot zoning. 144 C. 600. Spot zoning defined. 145 C. 26; 148 C. 97. Granting of change of zone within two months of refusal of similar application and after private conference with applicants opens commission to criticism. 145 C. 237. Anything which weakens public confidence in commission and undermines sense of security of individual's rights is against public policy. Id. Zoning regulations are invalid if not made in accordance with comprehensive plan (former statute). 145 C. 394. Deviation from comprehensive plan permissible. Zone change which may increase traffic in area not necessarily barred. 145 C. 435. Interpretation of special act similar to this section. 145 C. 476. Requisites to establish nonconforming use. 145 C. 682. Main, principal and dominant use of a building determines its character. 146 C. 70. Change of zone increased rather than lessened congestion in streets; action of commission held illegal. 146 C. 321. Maximum possible enrichment of developers is not controlling purpose of zoning. 146 C. 531. Powers of zoning commission distinguished from those of planning commission. 146 C. 570. Dicta that zoning regulations may in their operation result in prohibition under some circumstances. 146 C. 697. One aim of zoning is elimination of nonconforming uses. 147 C. 30. Provision re continuance of nonconforming uses not applicable to regulations enacted prior to effective date of this amendment. 147 C. 358. Use held not to be permissible nonconforming use because lot was not being used for such purpose when zoning regulations were adopted. 148 C. 84. A proposed use cannot constitute an existing nonconforming use. 148 C. 299. Conflict between public welfare and private gain discussed. Id. An essential purpose of zoning is to stabilize use of property. 148 C. 492. "Comprehensive plan" defined. Id. Interpretation that regulation, prohibiting premises to be used for sale of liquor if entrance to same was within 1,500 feet of entrance to other premises used for such sale, prohibited certification of premises in question because liquor outlet was located within 1,500 feet, although in another town, held proper and did not give extraterritorial effect to regulation. 149 C. 292. Fact that this section forbids zoning regulations affecting antecedent nonconforming uses is no benefit to plaintiff who merely contemplates such a use. 149 C. 678. In order to attack constitutionality of regulations, plaintiff must demonstrate that it is affected by them. Challenge of unconstitutional delegation of legislative power is successfully met if ordinance declares a legislative policy, establishes primary standards for carrying it out or lays down an intelligible principle to which agency must conform with proper regard for protection of public interest. Regulations themselves are not unconstitutional because of failure to establish adequate standards to meet constitutional requirement. In order to hold zoning regulation unconstitutional as violative of due process of law or equal protection clauses of state or federal constitution, it must appear that provisions are clearly arbitrary and unreasonable, having no substantial relation to public health, safety, morals or general welfare. Regulations did no more than offer assurance of measure of supervision by responsible public authority over conditions which affected public health, safety and general welfare, and consequently they were a proper exercise of the police power. 149 C. 712. Question of power or authority of commission either to hear or to decide application for change of zone must be decided before further action is taken. Trial court should have determined the question, it being basic to issue of validity of change of zone. 149 C. 746. Legislative history and purposes discussed. Zoning commission can by regulation reserve to itself or delegate to any of the other specified agencies power to grant a special permit or special exception. Purpose of this section is to establish means by which special requirements affecting particular property could be imposed whether they affected buildings and structures or land. Provision that zoning regulations must conform to a comprehensive plan is to prevent arbitrary, unreasonable and discriminatory exercise of zoning power. Comprehensive plan of Ridgefield found in scheme of zoning regulations themselves. Courts cannot substitute their discretion for wide and liberal discretion enjoyed by local zoning agencies. Relief can be granted on appeal only when local authority has acted arbitrarily or illegally and thus has abused discretion vested in it. 150 C. 79. Change of zone for small area is open to suspicion as spot zoning but can be sustained if it is in harmony with comprehensive plan. Zoning commission may accept long- continued nonconforming use as permanent and inevitable and find that change of zone which would render use conforming would encourage most appropriate use of land in town. 150 C. 129. Cited. 150 C. 146. Nonconforming uses should be abolished or reduced to conformity as speedily as fair interest of parties will permit, and in no case should be allowed to increase. 150 C. 439. Power to stipulate restrictions re garden apartments implied power to withhold approval entirely. 150 C. 672. Where zoning regulations excluded uses not specifically permitted and made no provision for storing vehicles on vacant lots in residential zone, plaintiff was in violation for doing so. 151 C. 46. Burden of proof as to whether commission acted improperly is on aggrieved party. 151 C. 484. If any reason for action of commission in denying a zone change is supported, subsequent appeal must fail. 152 C. 262. Cited. 152 C. 329. Word "school" used in zoning regulations of Westport construed. 152 C. 559. Fact that zoning regulations were designated as "interim" does not make them invalid. 153 C. 187. Where zoning regulations imposed restrictions on lot size, the placement of building on property and minimum living areas of residential property, with exceptions for seasonal properties within 500 feet of the high-water mark of any body of water, held that a "comprehensive" plan was established, even though no restriction was placed on the particular uses which might be made of the property since the community was small, rural and almost entirely residential and since, because the zoning commission is clothed with liberal discretion in enacting the regulations, a court is not justified in upsetting its decision merely because it feels a different classification might have been preferable. 153 C. 191. It is not required that zoning regulations divide town into districts as long as every owner of property located in the town can ascertain with reasonable certainty what uses he may legally make of any portion of his property. Id. Cited. 153 C. 310. Where the plaintiff's application to the board does not make it clear whether a permit under the zoning ordinance or an approval under the statutes is requested, the board must decide each issue separately and the required number of votes for each must be met in order for the application to be approved. 154 C. 32, 36. In the absence of standards set up by the local zoning ordinance, the power to grant a special permit under this statute is denied despite the fact that the statute itself provides for certain standards. 154 C. 156, 161. Cited. 154 C. 210. Zoning commission's refusal of a change of zone as to plaintiff's property shown by the record as not arbitrary or an abuse of discretion but for the general welfare of the community. 154 C. 309. Standards used for special exceptions for hospital found sufficiently definite. 154 C. 399, 403. Zoning authority acts as a legislative body in making zoning changes. Commission acted reasonably in rezoning a central area to meet the changing conditions of the town. 154 C. 463. Amendment adopted by zoning commission involved a debatable question within its legislative capacity to resolve. Courts are cautious about disturbing commission's decisions. 154 C. 470. Record does not show town plan and zoning commission acted illegally, arbitrarily or in abuse of its discretion in upgrading zone of an undeveloped residential area, particularly when change of zone was made in accordance with comprehensive plan lately adopted. 154 C. 638. Although commission should not ordinarily alter classification of area in absence of changed conditions, rule being a restriction on legislative discretion will be applied only when zoning amendment is patently arbitrary. 155 C. 209. Spot zoning defined. Id., 210. Change of zone predicated on interest in providing housing for persons displaced by redevelopment project, if otherwise consistent with accepted zoning principles, is reasonable exercise of board's discretionary powers. Id. Cited. 155 C. 563; 156 C. 102, 287, 300. Zoning board of appeals upheld where it granted exception to town to locate sanitary landfill operation as record showed public welfare was served thereby and neighboring property not substantially injured. 157 C. 106. Responsibility and authority for zoning rests with zoning commission and unless its action is clearly contrary to a rational development of the town's comprehensive plan, courts will not interfere with commission's decisions. Id., 434. Regulation requiring signature of owner on future developer's petition for change was waived by lack of timely objection and its omission did not affect jurisdiction of commission. Id., 520. Change of zone enacted by commission substantially not in accordance with comprehensive plan of zoning of town held arbitrary, illegal and in abuse of its discretion. 158 C. 78. Only in cases where zoning authority has acted arbitrarily or illegally will courts reverse such authority's disapproval of reclassification. Id., 111. Zoning commission's delegation of power to grant exception to zoning board of appeals was invalid as no criteria were given and delegation of power was too broad. 158 C. 196. Denial of plaintiff's application for change of zone for property he owned not unreasonable merely on ground zoning authority had approved the same changes the previous year. 158 C. 301. Where plaintiff's filling station was an existing use which predated zoning ordinance and ordinance provided for filling stations as exceptional use in his area, the use was not a nonconforming but a permitted use. 158 C. 516. Language herein is sufficiently broad to permit creation of floating zones. 159 C. 192; 197. Section does not militate against change in general zoning classification that is reasonable and in community interest. 159 C. 192. Cited. 160 C. 120, 121. Zoning commissions may grant special building permits subject to certain conditions to protect public health, safety, convenience and property values. 160 C. 295. Although zoning commission has wide discretion it must predicate its decisions on fair and proper motives and follow legislative direction of the statute. 160 C. 397. Cited. 161 C. 32; 161 C. 182; 161 C. 430. Cited. 162 C. 23. Cited. 163 C. 49, 190. Power to vary ordinance in zoning board of appeals. 163 C. 453. "Congestion in the streets" means density of traffic, not overall volume. 164 C. 215. Cited. 165 C. 533, 543, 544. Cited. 166 C. 305. Cited. 168 C. 358. Cited. 172 C. 306. Cited. 173 C. 23, 28, 29. Cited. 174 C. 212, 213. Cited. 176 C. 479, 483; id., 581, 594. Cited. 177 C. 420, 423; 178 C. 657, 661, 663; 179 C. 650, 656, 657; 181 C. 230, 235, 236. Cited. 185 C. 135, 138; Id., 294, 305. Cited. 186 C. 106, 109. Commission was justified in considering drainage, historical and rural factors although these factors not specifically incorporated in the municipal regulations. 189 C. 261, 264, 265, 267. Cited. 193 C. 506, 517. Moratorium was not beyond the powers delegated by this statute. 194 C. 152, 153, 156, 159—161, 164, 165. Cited. 199 C. 575, 582. Cited. 201 C. 700, 709, 711. Cited. 205 C. 703, 713. Includes "... the power to terminate nonconforming uses solely because of nonuse for a specified period." 206 C. 595, 597, 604—607. Cited. 208 C. 146, 154, 155. Minimum floor area requirements held not to be rationally related to any legitimate purpose of zoning under the section. Id., 267, 270, 273—275, 277—279, 281—283, 285, 289, 298, 304, 306, 307. "... statute has not delegated to municipalities the power to regulate colors in a sign." Id., 480, 481, 483, 484, 489—492. Cited. 212 C. 570, 577, 583. Cited. 213 C. 604, 610. Cited. 214 C. 400, 405. Cited. 217 C. 103, 106, 107; Id., 447, 449, 451—453, 455—457. Cited. 220 C. 61, 62, 65—68, 75, 76; Id., 527, 528, 532, 533, 535, 544—551, 553, 554; Id., 584—586, 599—601; Id., 556, 568. Cited. 222 C. 216, 230; Id., 607, 614, 619. Cited. 224 C. 124, 130; Id., 823, 831. Cited. 225 C. 731, 748, 749, 751, 753. Cited. 227 C. 71, 98. Cited. 232 C. 122, 134, 146. Cited. Id., 419, 421, 428, 430. Cited. 234 C. 221, 235, 240, 242, 244. Cited. Id., 498, 505, 506. Decision by zoning commission re historic overlay zone not a decision on floating zone and is an administrative function, requiring substantial supporting evidence. 258 C. 205.
Cited. 6 CA 237. Violation of uniformity requirement of statute by creation of a buffer area discussed. Id., 686, 688— 691. Cited. 7 CA 684, 695. Cited. 10 CA 190, 194, 195. Cited. 12 CA 90, 95. Cited. 13 CA 159, 163; Id., 448—450, 455, 456, 459; Id., 699, 705—707. Cited. 15 CA 110—115. Cited. 16 CA 303, 315. Zoning power "to regulate" under Sec. 8- 2 does not include power "to prohibit" unless prohibition is supported by a rational relation to purposes of zoning. 17 CA 17, 28, 31, 32, 36, 37, 46, 47; judgment reversed, see 212 C. 570 et seq. Cited. 19 CA 334, 338. Cited. 21 CA 538, 542. Cited. 24 CA 5, 8, 9; Id., 526, 528—530. Cited. 25 CA 375, 379; Id., 392, 396, 400; judgment reversed, see 222 C. 607 et seq. Cited. 26 CA 212, 214. Cited. 28 CA 314, 321, 322. Cited. 30 CA 627, 628. Cited. 31 CA 643, 650. Cited. 35 CA 594, 598. Cited. Id., 820, 824, 825. Cited. 36 CA 98, 104. Cited. 37 CA 303, 308, 311—315. Cited. 40 CA 501—503, 507, 509—511.
Standards by which regulations are to be scrutinized. 15 CS 485. Change of zone classification of large lot in center of residential area to business is spot zoning. 16 CS 189. Cited. 16 CS 328. Where zoning ordinance attempted to zone by individual pieces of property, held not in accordance with comprehensive plan. 16 CS 422. Power of zoning commission to fix minimum lot sizes and minimum floor areas upheld. 19 CS 24. Cited. 19 CS 447. Omission of any direct mention of a mobile home park as a permitted use of land anywhere in a town does not render zoning law void or unconstitutional. 21 CS 275. In order to qualify as nonconforming use, use must be in existence when ordinance goes into effect or in such a state of preparation that it is naturally recognized in neighborhood as such a use. Id. Restrictive covenant and zoning restrictions are two entirely separate and unrelated limitations on use of property. Where deeds to all lots sold under general development scheme contain same restrictive covenants, each grantee is entitled to enforce them in absence of conduct on his part constituting laches, waiver or abandonment. 22 CS 235. Nonconforming use may be increased in extent by natural expansion and growth. 24 CS 221. Cited. 25 CS 277. Zoning commission has no statutory power to enact ordinance limiting occupancy of certain areas to elderly persons. 26 CS 128. To change nonconforming business use to nonconforming liquor use is an increase in use and zoning board of appeals acted arbitrarily, illegally and in abuse of discretion in denying plaintiff's appeal. 26 CS 457. Refusal of zoning variance to permit use of plaintiff's property as gasoline station, its claimed best use, was not an unconstitutional confiscation of their property. 26 CS 475. Change of zone dependent for proper functioning on action by other agencies over which zoning commission has no control cannot be sustained unless action appears not a possibility but a probability. 26 CS 503. Community as a whole must benefit from commission action. Id. Regulation of defendant zoning commission requiring gasoline station sites to be 1500 feet apart is an exercise of police power which plaintiff failed to prove unreasonable or confiscatory of his property's value. 27 CS 362. Cited. 30 CS 157, 164. Cited. 32 CS 217. Cited. 34 CS 177, 183. Cited. 35 CS 246, 249. Statute provides no authority to planning and zoning commissions to modify statutes under which they acquire authority. 36 CS 281, 284, 285. Cited. 39 CS 436, 440, 441. Cited. 41 CS 196, 203. Cited. 41 CS 593, 598. Cited. 42 CS 256, 261, 263, 278. Cited. 43 CS 373, 378.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 224 C. 823, 831. Zoning commission amendment to town's zoning regulations satisfied the uniformity requirements of subsec. and was reasonably related to balancing conservation and development. 259 C. 402.
Cited. 40 CA 501, 503. Implicitly requires uniform enforcement of zoning regulations. 49 CA 669.
Cited. 36 CS 98, 104.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

The secretary or clerk of each regulatory board of a political subdivision of the state, adopting subdivision or zoning regulations pursuant to the general statutes or a special act, shall make printed copies of such regulations available to the public at a reasonable price upon request.
(1961, P.A. 410.)

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Any planning commission, zoning commission or planning and zoning commission of any municipality may use soil survey maps of the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture as a standard in determining land use, planning, zoning or development regulations.
(1971, P.A. 132.)

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act, any town, city or borough having zoning authority pursuant to this chapter or any special act or planning authority pursuant to chapter 126 or any special act may, by regulation of the authority exercising zoning or planning power, provide that an applicant may be allowed to pay a fee to the town, city or borough in lieu of any requirement to provide parking spaces in connection with any use of land pursuant to any zoning or planning regulations adopted by such zoning or planning authority. Such regulation shall provide that no such fee shall be accepted by the town, city or borough unless the authority exercising zoning or planning power has found and declared that the number of parking spaces which would be required in connection with such use of land pursuant to any existing planning or zoning regulation: (1) Would result in an excess of parking spaces for such use of land or in the area surrounding such use of land; or (2) could not be physically located on the parcel of land for which such use is proposed and such regulation shall further provide that the amount of such fee shall be determined in accordance with a formula or schedule of fees set forth in such regulations and that no such fee shall be imposed or paid without the consent of the applicant and the zoning or planning authority, as the case may be. In any case in which a fee is proposed to be accepted in lieu of a parking requirement because the number of parking spaces required could not be physically located on the parcel of land for which such use is proposed, a two-thirds vote of the zoning or planning authority shall be necessary to consent to such payment. Such regulations may also limit the areas of such town, city or borough in which such payments shall be accepted by the town, city or borough. Any such payment to the town, city or borough shall be deposited in a fund established by the town, city or borough pursuant to this section. Such fund shall be used solely for the acquisition, development, expansion or capital repair of municipal parking facilities, traffic or transportation related capital projects, the provision or operating expenses of transit facilities designed to reduce reliance on private automobiles and capital programs to facilitate carpooling or vanpooling. The proceeds of such fund shall not be used for operating expenses of any kind, except operating expenses of transit facilities, or be considered a part of the municipal general fund. Expenditures from such fund shall be authorized in the same manner as any other capital expenditure of the town, city or borough. Any income earned by any moneys on deposit in such fund shall accrue to the fund.
(P.A. 84-497; P.A. 85-164; P.A. 90-286, S. 7, 9.)
History: P.A. 85-164 inserted provisions allowing payments in cases where parking could not be physically located on the subject parcel of land and requiring a two-thirds vote in such cases; P.A. 90-286 authorized the use of the proceeds of the fund for the "operating expenses" of transit facilities designed to reduce reliance on private automobiles.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Sec. 8-2d. Planned unit developments under former chapter 124a continue to be valid. Any land use regulations concerning planned unit developments or planned residential developments adopted by a municipal zoning commission, planning and zoning commission or other applicable zoning authority pursuant to sections 8-13b to 8-13k, inclusive, of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 1985, shall continue to be valid and any planned unit development or planned residential development proposed in accordance with such regulations which has received approval, whether tentative, preliminary or final, from such commission or authority prior to July 1, 1985, shall continue to be governed by the provisions of such regulations.
(P.A. 85-409, S. 6, 8.)

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Any two or more municipalities which have adopted the provisions of this chapter or chapter 125a or which are exercising zoning power pursuant to any special act may, with the approval of the legislative body of each municipality, execute an agreement providing for a system of development rights and the transfer of development rights across the boundaries of the municipalities which are parties to the agreement. Such system shall be implemented in a manner approved by the legislative body of each municipality and by the commission or other body which adopts zoning regulations of each municipality.
(P.A. 87-490, S. 2.)

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Any zoning regulations adopted pursuant to section 8-2 concerning development rights shall authorize the transfer of the development rights to land only upon joint application of the transferor and transferee.
(P.A. 87-490, S. 3.)

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Sec. 8-2g. Special exemption from density limits for construction of affordable housing. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act, any zoning commission existing pursuant to this chapter and any municipal agency exercising the powers of a zoning commission pursuant to any special act may provide by regulation for a special exemption from density limits established for any zoning district, or special exception use, in which multifamily dwellings are permitted, in accordance with the requirements contained in subsection (b) of this section. Such special exemption shall allow the construction of a designated number of such permitted multifamily dwelling units in excess of applicable density limits, in accordance with a contract entered into between a developer applying for the special exemption and the municipality. Any such contract shall provide: (1) For each dwelling unit constructed by the developer in excess of the number of such units permitted by applicable density limits, the developer shall construct in the municipality a unit of affordable housing, as defined in section 8-39a, which is of comparable size and workmanship; (2) for a period which shall not be less than thirty years from the date of completion of any units of affordable housing constructed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, such units of affordable housing shall be offered for sale or rent only to persons and families having such income as the agency created or designated under subsection (b) of this section may establish but which shall not exceed the area median income of the municipality as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; (3) the sale price or rent for any such unit of affordable housing shall not exceed an amount which shall be specified in such contract, provided such contract shall contain provisions concerning reasonable periodic increases of the specified sale price or rent; (4) such units of affordable housing shall be conveyed by deeds containing covenants incorporating the terms and conditions contained in such contract between the developer and the municipality, which covenants shall run with the land and be enforceable by the municipality until released by the municipality; and (5) the requirements of subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of this subsection shall apply to (A) the resale, (B) the purchase and subsequent leasing and (C) the conversion to the common interest form of ownership and subsequent sale of any such unit of affordable housing during and for the remaining term of such period.
(b) Upon the adoption of any regulation under subsection (a) of this section, the zoning commission or municipal agency exercising the powers of a zoning commission shall notify the legislative body of the municipality of such adoption and request that the municipality establish or designate an agency to implement a program designed to establish income criteria in accordance with said subsection (a) and oversee the sale or rental of any units of affordable housing constructed pursuant to said subsection (a) to persons and families satisfying such income criteria. Any municipality may, by ordinance, establish or designate a municipal agency to implement such program. If the legislative body does not enact such ordinance within one hundred twenty days following the date of such request, the zoning commission or municipal agency exercising the powers of a zoning commission may notify the housing authority of the municipality or, in any municipality which has not by resolution authorized its housing authority to transact business in accordance with the provisions of section 8-40, the municipal agency with responsibility for housing matters that it has adopted such regulation. Upon receiving such notice, the housing authority or municipal agency with responsibility for housing matters shall implement such program. Any such program shall provide for a method of selecting persons satisfying such income criteria to purchase or rent such units of affordable housing from among a pool of applicants which method shall not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, mental retardation, physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness or deafness, place of residency, number of children or veterans' status.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any powers lawfully exercised by any municipality, any zoning commission existing pursuant to this chapter or any municipal agency exercising the powers of a zoning commission pursuant to any special act. Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate any ordinance of a municipality or any regulation of a zoning commission existing pursuant to this chapter or any municipal agency exercising the powers of a zoning commission pursuant to any special act, which ordinance or regulation was adopted before June 6, 1988. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any such municipality, zoning commission or municipal agency from changing the requirements contained in any ordinance or zoning regulation or to require any such municipality, zoning commission or municipal agency to change the requirements contained in any ordinance or zoning regulation.
(P.A. 88-338, S. 1, 5.)

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

Sec. 8-2h. Zoning applications filed prior to change in zoning regulations not required to comply with change. Applications for building permit or certificate of occupancy filed prior to adoption of zoning regulations not required to comply with regulations. (a) An application filed with a zoning commission, planning and zoning commission, zoning board of appeals or agency exercising zoning authority of a town, city or borough which is in conformance with the applicable zoning regulations as of the time of filing shall not be required to comply with, nor shall it be disapproved for the reason that it does not comply with, any change in the zoning regulations or the boundaries of zoning districts of such town, city or borough taking effect after the filing of such application.
(b) An application for a building permit or certificate of occupancy filed with the building official of a city, town or borough prior to the adoption of zoning regulations by such city, town or borough in accordance with this chapter shall not be required to comply with, nor shall it be disapproved for the reason that it does not comply with, such zoning regulations.
(P.A. 89-311, S. 2.)
Cited. 220 C. 527, 541. P.A. 89-311 cited. 225 C. 1, 2, 9.
Cited. 25 CA 199, 209. Cited. 26 CA 212, 214, 217, 218.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 220 C. 527, 540, 541.
Cited. 26 CA 212, 214. Cited. 28 CA 314, 318; Id., 379, 383. Cited. 40 CA 501, 506, 507. Cited. Id., 840, 844. States that if zoning regulations are changed after an application is filed, that application need not comply in order to be approved. 63 CA 176.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

(a) As used in this section, "inclusionary zoning" means any zoning regulation, requirement or condition of development imposed by ordinance, regulation or pursuant to any special permit, special exception or subdivision plan which promotes the development of housing affordable to persons and families of low and moderate income, including, but not limited to, (1) the setting aside of a reasonable number of housing units for long-term retention as affordable housing through deed restrictions or other means; (2) the use of density bonuses; or (3) in lieu of or in addition to such other requirements or conditions, the making of payments into a housing trust fund to be used for constructing, rehabilitating or repairing housing affordable to persons and families of low and moderate income.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act, any municipality having zoning authority pursuant to this chapter or any special act or having planning authority pursuant to chapter 126 may, by regulation of the body exercising such zoning authority, implement inclusionary zoning regulations, requirements or conditions.
(P.A. 91-204.)

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

(a) The zoning commission of each municipality may establish village districts as part of the zoning regulations adopted under section 8-2 or under any special act. Such districts shall be located in areas of distinctive character, landscape or historic value that are specifically identified in the plan of conservation and development of the municipality.
(b) The regulations establishing village districts shall protect the distinctive character, landscape and historic structures within such districts and may regulate, on and after the effective date of such regulations, new construction, substantial reconstruction and rehabilitation of properties within such districts and in view from public roadways, including, but not limited to, (1) the design and placement of buildings, (2) the maintenance of public views, (3) the design, paving materials and placement of public roadways, and (4) other elements that the commission deems appropriate to maintain and protect the character of the village district. In adopting the regulations, the commission shall consider the design, relationship and compatibility of structures, plantings, signs, roadways, street hardware and other objects in public view. The regulations shall establish criteria from which a property owner and the commission may make a reasonable determination of what is permitted within such district. The regulations shall encourage the conversion, conservation and preservation of existing buildings and sites in a manner that maintains the historic or distinctive character of the district. The regulations concerning the exterior of structures or sites shall be consistent with: (A) The "Connecticut Historical Commission - The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings", revised through 1990, as amended; or (B) the distinctive characteristics of the district identified in the municipal plan of conservation and development. The regulations shall provide (i) that proposed buildings or modifications to existing buildings be harmoniously related to their surroundings, and the terrain in the district and to the use, scale and architecture of existing buildings in the district that have a functional or visual relationship to a proposed building or modification, (ii) that all spaces, structures and related site improvements visible from public roadways be designed to be compatible with the elements of the area of the village district in and around the proposed building or modification, (iii) that the color, size, height, location, proportion of openings, roof treatments, building materials and landscaping of commercial or residential property and any proposed signs and lighting be evaluated for compatibility with the local architectural motif and the maintenance of views, historic buildings, monuments and landscaping, and (iv) that the removal or disruption of historic traditional or significant structures or architectural elements shall be minimized.
(c) All development in the village district shall be designed to achieve the following compatibility objectives: (1) The building and layout of buildings and included site improvements shall reinforce existing buildings and streetscape patterns and the placement of buildings and included site improvements shall assure there is no adverse impact on the district; (2) proposed streets shall be connected to the existing district road network, wherever possible; (3) open spaces within the proposed development shall reinforce open space patterns of the district, in form and siting; (4) locally significant features of the site such as distinctive buildings or sight lines of vistas from within the district, shall be integrated into the site design; (5) the landscape design shall complement the district's landscape patterns; (6) the exterior signs, site lighting and accessory structures shall support a uniform architectural theme if such a theme exists and be compatible with their surroundings; and (7) the scale, proportions, massing and detailing of any proposed building shall be in proportion to the scale, proportion, massing and detailing in the district.
(d) All applications for new construction and substantial reconstruction within the district and in view from public roadways shall be subject to review and recommendation by an architect or architectural firm, landscape architect, or planner who is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners selected and contracted by the commission and designated as the village district consultant for such application. Alternatively, the commission may designate as the village district consultant for such application an architectural review board whose members shall include at least one architect, landscape architect or planner who is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. The village district consultant shall review an application and report to the commission within thirty-five days of receipt of the application. Such report and recommendation shall be entered into the public hearing record and considered by the commission in making its decision. Failure of the village district consultant to report within the specified time shall not alter or delay any other time limit imposed by the regulations.
(e) The commission may seek the recommendations of any town or regional agency or outside specialist with which it consults, including, but not limited to, the regional planning agency, the municipality's historical society, the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and The University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Any reports or recommendations from such agencies or organizations shall be entered into the public hearing record.
(f) If a commission grants or denies an application, it shall state upon the record the reasons for its decision. If a commission denies an application, the reason for the denial shall cite the specific regulations under which the application was denied. Notice of the decision shall be published in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the municipality. An approval shall become effective in accordance with subsection (b) of section 8-3c.
(g) No approval of a commission under this section shall be effective until a copy thereof, certified by the commission, containing the name of the owner of record, a description of the premises to which it relates and specifying the reasons for its decision, is recorded in the land records of the town in which such premises are located. The town clerk shall index the same in the grantor's index under the name of the then record owner and the record owner shall pay for such recording.
(P.A. 98-116; P.A. 00-145, S. 1; P.A. 01-195, S. 110, 111, 181.)
History: P.A. 00-145 divided existing Subsec. (a) into Subsecs. (a) and (b) and existing Subsec. (c) into Subsecs. (d) and (e), amended Subsec. (a) to require districts to be located in areas identified on the plan of conservation and development, amended Subsec. (d) to include landscape architects and planners in review and authorize an architectural review board to act as the village district consultant, deleted former Subsec. (e) which had defined "neighborhood", inserted new provisions as Subsec. (f) re approval or disapproval, relettered former Subsec. (d) as (g) and made numerous technical changes throughout; P.A. 01-195 made technical changes in Subsecs. (d) and (f), effective July 11, 2001.

(Return to List of Chapters)

(Return to List of Titles)

(a) Such zoning commission shall provide for the manner in which regulations under section 8-2 or 8-2j and the boundaries of zoning districts shall be respectively established or changed. No such regulation or boundary shall become effective or be established or changed until after a public hearing in relation thereto, held by a majority of the members of the zoning commission or a committee thereof appointed for that purpose consisting of at least five members, at which parties in interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in the form of a legal advertisement appearing in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in such municipality at least twice at intervals of not less than two days, the first not more than fifteen days nor less than ten days, and the last not less than two days, before such hearing, and a copy of such proposed regulation or boundary shall be filed in the office of the town, city or borough clerk, as the case may be, in such municipality, but, in the case of a district, in the offices of both the district clerk and the town clerk of the town in which such district is located, for public inspection at least ten days before such hearing, and may be published in full in such paper. In addition to such notice, such zoning commission may, by regulation, provide for notice by mail to persons who are owners of land which is included in or adjacent to the land which is the subject of the hearing. The commission may require a filing fee to be deposited with the commission to defray the cost of publication of the notice required for a hearing.
(b) Such regulations and boundaries shall be established, changed or repealed only by a majority vote of all the members of the zoning commission, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. In making its decision the commission shall take into consideration the plan of conservation and development, prepared pursuant to section 8-23, and shall state on the record its findings on consistency of the proposed establishment, change or repeal of such regulations and boundaries with such plan. If a protest against a proposed change is filed at or before a hearing with the zoning commission, signed by the owners of twenty per cent or more of the area of the lots included in such proposed change or of the lots within five hundred feet in all directions of the property included in the proposed change, such change shall not be adopted except by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of the commission.
(c) All petitions requesting a change in the regulations or the boundaries of zoning districts shall be submitted in writing and in a form prescribed by the commission and shall be considered at a public hearing within the period of time permitted under section 8-7d. The commission shall act upon the changes requested in such petition. Whenever such commission makes any change in a regulation or boundary it shall state upon its records the reason why such change is made. No such commission shall be required to hear any petition or petitions relating to the same changes, or substantially the same changes, more than once in a period of twelve months.
(d) Zoning regulations or boundaries or changes therein shall become effective at such time as is fixed by the zoning commission, provided a copy of such regulation, boundary or change shall be filed in the office of the town, city or borough clerk, as the case may be, but, in the case of a district, in the office of both the district clerk and the town clerk of the town in which such district is located, and notice of the decision of such commission shall have been published in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the municipality before such effective date. In any case in which such notice is not published within the fifteen-day period after a decision has been rendered, any applicant or petitioner may provide for the publication of such notice within ten days thereafter.
(e) The zoning commission shall provide for the manner in which the zoning regulations shall be enforced.
(f) No building permit or certificate of occupancy shall be issued for a building, use or structure subject to the zoning regulations of a municipality without certification in writing by the official charged with the enforcement of such regulations that such building, use or structure is in conformity with such regulations or is a valid nonconforming use under such regulations.
(g) The zoning regulations may require that a site plan be filed with the commission or other municipal agency or official to aid in determining the conformity of a proposed building, use or structure with specific provisions of such regulations. If a site plan application involves an activity regulated pursuant to sections 22a-36 to 22a-45, inclusive, the applicant shall submit an application for a permit to the agency responsible for administration of the inland wetlands regulations not later than the day such application is filed with the zoning commission. The decision of the zoning commission shall not be rendered on the site plan application until the inland wetlands agency has submitted a report with its final decision. In making its decision the zoning commission shall give due consideration to the report of the inland wetlands agency. A site plan may be modified or denied only if it fails to comply with requirements already set forth in the zoning or inland wetlands regulations. Approval of a site plan shall be presumed unless a decision to deny or modify it is rendered within the period specified in section 8-7d. A certificate of approval of any plan for which the period for approval has expired and on which no action has been taken shall be sent to the applicant within fifteen days of the date on which the period for approval has expired. A decision to deny or modify a site plan shall set forth the reasons for such denial or modification. A copy of any decision shall be sent by certified mail to the person who submitted such plan within fifteen days after such decision is rendered. The zoning commission may, as a condition of approval of any modified site plan, require a bond in an amount and with surety and conditions satisfactory to it, securing that any modifications of such site plan are made or may grant an extension of the time to complete work in connection with such modified site plan. The commission may condition the approval of such extension on a determination of the adequacy of the amount of the bond or other surety furnished under this section. The commission shall publish notice of the approval or denial of site plans in a newspaper having a general circulation in the municipality. In any case in which such notice is not published within the fifteen-day period after a decision has been rendered, the person who submitted such plan may provide for the publication of such notice within ten days thereafter.
(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of the general statutes or any public or special act or any local ordinance, when a change is adopted in the zoning regulations or boundaries of zoning districts of any town, city or borough, no improvements or proposed improvements shown on a site plan for residential property which has been approved prior to the effective date of such change, either pursuant to an application for special exception or otherwise, by the zoning commission of such town, city or borough, or other body exercising the powers of such commission, and filed or recorded with the town clerk, shall be required to conform to such change.
(i) In the case of any site plan approved on or after October 1, 1984, except as provided in subsection (j) of this section, all work in connection with such site plan shall be completed within five years after the approval of the plan. The certificate of approval of such site plan shall state the date on which such five-year period expires. Failure to complete all work within such five-year period shall result in automatic expiration of the approval of such site plan, except in the case of any site plan approved on or after October 1, 1989, the zoning commission or other municipal agency or official approving such site plan may grant one or more extensions of the time to complete all or part of the work in connection with the site plan provided the total extension or extensions shall not exceed ten years from the date such site plan is approved. "Work" for purposes of this subsection means all physical improvements required by the approved plan.
(j) In the case of any site plan for a project consisting of four hundred or more dwelling units approved on or after June 19, 1987, all work in connection with such site plan shall be completed within ten years after the approval of the plan. In the case of any commercial, industrial or retail project having an area equal to or greater than four hundred thousand square feet approved on or after October 1, 1988, the zoning commission or other municipal agency or official approving such site plan shall set a date for the completion of all work in connection with such site plan, which date shall be not less than five nor more than ten years from the date of approval of such site plan, provided such commission, agency or official approving such plan and setting a date for completion which is less than ten years from the date of approval may extend the date of completion for an additional period or periods, not to exceed ten years in the aggregate from the date of the original approval of such site plan. The certificate of approval of such site plan shall state the date on which such work shall be completed. Failure to complete all work within such period shall result in automatic expiration of the approval of such site plan. "Work" for purposes of this subsection means all physical improvements required by the approved plan.
(k) A separate zoning district may be established for shorefront land areas utilized for water-dependent uses, as defined in section 22a-93, existing on October 1, 1987. Such district may be composed of a single parcel of land, provided the owner consents to such establishment. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit the authority of a zoning commission to establish and apply land use districts for the promotion and protection of water-dependent uses pursuant to section 8-2 and sections 22a-101 to 22a-104, inclusive. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to all zoning commissions or other final zoning authority of each municipality whether or not such municipality has adopted the provisions of this chapter or the charter of such municipality or special act establishing zoning in the municipality contains similar provisions.
(l) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, any site plan approval made under this section on or before October 1, 1989, except an approval made under subsection (j) of this section, shall expire not more than seven years from the date of such approval and the commission may grant one or more extensions of time to complete all or part of the work in connection with such site plan, provided the time for all extensions under this subsection shall not exceed ten years from the date the site plan was approved.
(1949 Rev., S. 838; 1951, 1953, June, 1955, S. 375d; 1957, P.A. 662; 1959, P.A. 452; 577, S. 4; 614, S. 3; February, 1965, P.A. 622, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 862, S. 1; P.A. 77-450, S. 1; 77-509, S. 2; P.A. 78-104, S. 4; P.A. 80-177; P.A. 82-90; P.A. 84-147, S. 1; 84-174; P.A. 86-236, S. 1; P.A. 87-215, S. 2, 7; 87-371, S. 2, 5; 87-474, S. 2; 87-533, S. 7, 14; P.A. 88- 105, S. 1; P.A. 89-277, S. 2; 89-356, S. 10, 11; P.A. 91-153, S. 1; P.A. 93-19, S. 1, 3; P.A. 00-145, S. 2; P.A. 02-74, S. 1; 02-77, S. 1.)
History: 1959 acts provided notice of hearing be published "in the form of a legal advertisement appearing" in a newspaper, provided for filing of copy of regulations and proposed regulations in case of district, provided protest of change to be effective must be signed by at least twenty per cent of property owners within five hundred feet "in all directions" rather than "in any direction" and that a two-thirds rather than three-quarters vote of commission is needed to overcome protest, allowed petitions for change in regulations as well as boundaries and added "or substantially the same changes" in the last sentence; 1965 act required copy of zoning regulations, boundaries or changes in the case of a district be filed with both district and town clerk and specified notice of decision of commission, rather than of the filing of the regulation, boundary or change, be published; 1971 act required that hearing be held within sixty-five, rather than ninety, days after receipt of petition, that decision be made within sixty-five, rather than ninety, days after hearing and that extensions not exceed sixty-five days; P.A. 77-450 made provisions of Sec. 8-7d applicable to changes and amendments and replaced sixty-five day periods for hearing, decision and extension with time period permitted under Sec. 8-7d; P.A. 77-509 divided section into subsections, placed provision for filing fee in Subsec. (a) rather than Subsec. (c), required recording of reasons for making changes in Subsec. (c) and added Subsecs. (d) to (g), inclusive, re effective dates, enforcement, building permits and site plans; P.A. 78-104 amended Subsec. (g) to specify that site plans may be modified or denied only for noncompliance and to replace reference to sixty-five day period for decision or extensions with reference to time periods in Sec. 8-7d; P.A. 80-177 amended Subsec. (g) concerning posting of bond as condition of approval; P.A. 82-90 amended Subsec. (g) to provide for issuance of a certificate of approval upon the expiration of the time limit and for the publication of notices of approval; P.A. 84-147 added Subsecs. (h) and (i) concerning the effect of subsequent zoning changes on approved site plans and expiration of site plan approval; P.A. 84-174 amended Subsec. (f) to include certificates of occupancy; P.A. 86-236 amended Subsec. (g) to require the commission to publish notice of the denial of site plans; P.A. 87-215 amended Subsec. (a) to allow for notice by mail to included and adjacent landowners; P.A. 87-371 added Subsec. (j) concerning completion of work on site plans for projects consisting of four hundred or more dwelling units; P.A. 87-474 added Subsec. (k) regarding separate zoning districts for shorefront land areas utilized for dependent uses; P.A. 87-533 amended Subsec. (g) to add provision re site plan applications involving activities regulated under Secs. 22a-36 to 22a-45, inclusive; P.A. 88-105 amended Subsec. (j) to provide for expiration of site plan approval in the case of certain commercial, industrial or retail projects; P.A. 89-277 amended Subsec. (i) to authorize the granting of one or more extensions of the five-year period for site plans approved on or after October 1, 1989, and limited the total extension or extensions to ten years; P.A. 89-356 amended Subsec. (d) to authorize any applicant or petitioner for a change in zoning regulations or boundaries to provide for publication of the notice of the decision of the commission when such notice is not published in a timely manner and amended Subsec. (g) to authorize the person who submitted a site plan application to provide for the publication of the notice of the decision of the commission when such notice is not published in a timely manner; P.A. 91-153 added Subsec. (l) which provided that site plans approved on or before October 1, 1989, be valid for seven years after the date of approval; P.A. 93-19 amended Subsec. (g) to authorize planning commissions to extend the time to complete work on a modified site plan and to condition such approval in determination of the adequacy of the bond, amended Subsec. (i) to replace reference to a five-year period with provisions re completion of work and amended Subsec. (l) to authorize extensions of site plans approved on or before October 1, 1989, effective April 21, 1993; P.A. 00- 145 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to Sec. 8-2j; P.A. 02-74 amended Subsec. (b) to require commission to consider the municipal plan of conservation and development in decisions and to state on the record its findings on consistency with such plan; P.A. 02-77 amended Subsec.(c) to authorize commissions to act upon petitions, removing limitation of adoption or denial, effective June 3, 2002, and applicable to petitions filed on and after that date.
Change invalid if notice not in compliance with statute. 123 C. 472. Cited. 123 C. 541; 125 C. 720; 133 C. 594. When protested, change by town zoning commission requires vote of all members, not merely of those present at meeting. 123 C. 282. Failure to state on record reason for change of regulation does not invalidate board's action. 129 C. 287. Ordinance invalid for failure to give notice and hold hearing. 131 C. 649. Does not apply to a proceeding pending on effective date of act. 134 C. 572. Husband of applicant sat at meeting and voted for application. Held: Change of zone is invalid. 135 C. 1. Words "immediately adjacent" mean adjoining or abutting. 135 C. 24. Cited. 136 C. 94. Special act controls in West Hartford at least as to procedural matters. 138 C. 497. Cited. 141 C. 349. Zoning regulations shall be made in accordance with "a comprehensive plan" which is a general plan to control and direct use and development of property in municipality or large part thereof by dividing it into districts according to present and potential use of properties. 142 C. 265. Zoning commission need not set out reasons for amendment and change of zoning regulations in language which would satisfy meticulous criticism of a legal expert. 142 C. 580. Nothing in this section which permits vote of town meeting to approve any amendment adopted by zoning commission. Power to provide for manner in which zoning regulations may be changed is vested exclusively in commission and cannot be delegated to town meeting. 143 C. 448. Compliance with statutory procedure was prerequisite to any valid and effective date change in zonal boundaries. 144 C. 475. Words "immediately adjacent in the rear," as similarly used in special act, construed. 144 C. 677. Adequacy of notice. 144 C. 690. In computing notice period, both terminal days are excluded when such phrases as "at least" and "not less than" are used. 145 C. 136. Compliance with statutory procedure was a prerequisite to any valid amendment of, or change in, zoning regulations. Id. Legislative history. Words "in any direction" mean "all or every direction" (former statute). 145 C. 325. Zone change in substantial conformity with comprehensive plan held not spot zoning. 145 C. 435. Prior conferences with applicant and experts did not compel conclusion that commission made up its mind before public hearing. Dissent held otherwise. Id. Regulation which does not clearly state boundaries of zone not ipso facto a nullity. 145 C. 468. An orderly extension of an existing district to serve a public need is not spot zoning. 145 C. 592. Commission acts in a legislative capacity; board of appeals acts in a quasi-judicial capacity. Id. Disregard of zoning regulations regarding traffic congestion and allowing access to commercial property through residential area constitutes illegal action by board. 145 C. 597. Notice is adequate if it sufficiently apprises those who may be affected of nature and character of action proposed. 145 C. 625. Exempting shopping centers from certain liquor regulations held reasonable. Id. Classification is duty of legislative body. Id. Delay in prosecuting violation by commission not deemed waiver. 145 C. 682. Purchasers of property have right to expect that classification will not change unless new conditions arise which demand rezoning for public good. 146 C. 170. Fact that person other than member of commission acted as moderator at public hearing does not of itself invalidate such hearing. 146 C. 531. Upgrading of zone in residential semirural area is type of regulation generally upheld. Id. Commission must state upon its records its reason for changing zoning regulation or boundaries of zoning district and such statement should contain only such reasons as motivated commission as collective body. 147 C. 30. Extension of existing business zone held to constitute spot zoning. Id. Stamford charter provides for review of action of zoning board by board of representatives; held that function of latter board is legislative and it may act without notice and hearing. 148 C. 33. Unless charter expressly states otherwise, once zoning commission has adopted zoning regulations, municipality is powerless to amend them. Id. When zoning authorities act within their prescribed legislative powers, they have a wide and liberal discretion. 148 C. 68. If change of zone is in accordance with comprehensive plan and predominating purpose in making change is to benefit community as a whole rather than landowner, this does not constitute spot zoning even though owner may receive an incidental benefit. Id. Denial of petition pending action of planning commission, held not to constitute surrender of its functions to planning commission. 148 C. 172. Denial of an application "without prejudice" may permit a renewal of such application without waiting twelve months. Id. Possible that denial of an application "without prejudice" may raise a question whether such matter is appealable. Id. Rule that zoning board of appeals cannot reverse an earlier decision unless there are changed conditions does not necessarily apply to zoning commission, which is essentially a legislative body. 148 C. 299. Provision that board shall state upon its records its reasons for making a change is directory only, and failure to comply does not make action of commission void. Id. Test of board's power to change zone is whether change is for benefit of community as a whole rather than for benefit of particular individual or groups of individuals. 148 C. 492. Commission tabled application for zone change pending receipt of additional information to support such change but later approved application without obtaining such information; held commission was motivated by individual welfare of petitioner and not the common good. 148 C. 500. In making change in zone, commission must follow mandates of section 8-2. Id. An important purpose of zoning is to lessen congestion in streets. Id. Appeals from zoning authorities exist only under statutory authority. 148 C. 551. Stamford charter provides for review of the action of its zoning board in amending zoning map either by direct appeal to court or by petition to legislative body and then an appeal to court from such body's decision; held that each method is complete in itself and having pursued one, a party is precluded from pursuing the other. Id. Strict compliance with statute is prerequisite to zoning action. 149 C. 76. Legislative history. Id., 77. Where former statute provided, if adequate protest is filed, no zone change can be made "except by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of the zoning commission" held, an affirmative two-thirds vote of authorized membership of commission is required. Id., 78. Failure of zoning commission to state on its records any reasons for zone change did not render action void. 149 C. 411. Cited. 149 C. 680, 682. Not spot zoning if change results in good of community as a whole and falls within requirements of comprehensive plan. 150 C. 646. Prior to 1963 amendment of section 8-7: When no reason given for denial of application for special exception, court must search record to discover sufficient reason to support decision. No statutory requirement for giving reason for denial. 151 C. 265. Change of small area from one residential classification to another residential classification does not of itself constitute "spot zoning." 151 C. 425. Elements constituting "spot zoning" discussed. 152 C. 7. Cited. 152 C. 311. "Due process" requirements not violated because plaintiff did not receive actual notice of zoning ordinance since adoption of ordinance affected every property owner in the town and such a rule would nullify statutory provision for notice by publication. 152 C. 325. Fact that zoning regulations were designated as "interim" does not make them invalid. 153 C. 187. Cited. 153 C. 483. Board not required to state a reason for denying a change of zone. 153 C. 574, 576. Change of zone which is dependent for its proper functioning on action by other agencies and over which zoning commission has no control cannot be sustained unless the necessary action appears to be a probability. 154 C. 202, 210. Claim public hearing statutory provision violated not considered as not raised or passed on by trial court. 154 C. 463. Variances should be granted charily. Where plaintiff applied for a substantial variance of set back requirements and board denied application upon grounds of public convenience and welfare, appeal denied. 154 C. 484. Notice and filing of zone changes actually adopted distinct from, independent of and in addition to prehearing notice and filing. 155 C. 12, 16. Filing of map prior to hearing not required unless integral part of proposed regulations. Id., 20. Statute does not require retention by town clerk of proposed zoning regulations after public hearing on same. Id. Notice stating that among proposed changes in the zoning regulations was repeal of a paragraph specified by section and subsection numbers held sufficient. 155 C. 511. Cited. 156 C. 103. Where public notice contained text of proposed zoning amendment, notice was sufficient although adopted amendment differed from proposal so as to affect plaintiffs' interests; fundamental character was not changed. 157 C. 303. Decision rendered after sixty days is not invalid; language of the section is directory only. Id., 520. Power to grant variance must be sparingly exercised and financial hardship alone is not sufficient grounds for granting variance. 158 C. 86. Cited. 160 C. 295. Member of zoning commission absent from public hearing may vote on proposed changes if he sufficiently acquaints himself with evidence presented at hearing. 161 C. 32. One publication in two newspapers, proper notice. 163 C. 45. Cited. 166 C. 207. Where zoning authority has stated reasons for zone change, reviewing court limits determinations to whether assigned grounds are pertinent and reasonably supported by the record. 166 C. 533, 543. Application of a "floating zone" to land in a town requires an application for change of zone and a public hearing as to the particular property or area. 168 C. 20. The zoning commission acts arbitrarily and violates the statutory uniformity requirement when it attempts to establish a buffer zone between two zones with different classifications in a specific instance but not in other instances. 168 C. 358. Cited. 168 C. 512. Cited. 170 C. 61. Cited. 173 C. 23, 25. Cited. 176 C. 439, 441. Cited. 178 C. 657, 662. Cited. 186 C. 106, 109. Cited. 194 C. 152, 164. Cited. 195 C. 276, 280. Cited. 213 C. 604, 608, 609. Cited. 218 C. 65, 79, 80. Cited. 219 C. 139, 142. Cited. 220 C. 455, 461. Cited. 222 C. 380, 382. Cited. 232 C. 122, 132, 148. Cited. 235 C. 448, 464.
Cited. 2 CA 49, 50. Cited. Id., 506, 509. Cited. 6 CA 686, 689—691. Cited. 7 CA 684, 695. Cited. 13 CA 448, 449, 452. Cited. 17 CA 150. Cited. 18 CA 85, 88, 90, 92. Cited. 23 CA 232, 241. Cited. 25 CA 164, 167, 168. Cited. 27 CA 443, 447. Cited. 41 CA 89, 92. When time requirements for notice are computed, the terminal days are excluded; purpose of such notice is to fairly and sufficiently apprise those who may be affected by the proposed action and enable them to prepare intelligently for the hearing; however, when a site plan is separable from its accompanying documents and the special permit application is for a use not permitted as of right, this section is not applicable, and where the special permit application must contain a site plan, automatic approval under this section may not occur if commission does not meet time limits in Sec. 8-3c. 60 CA 504.
Improper for zoning board not to state upon its record the reasons it granted a variance. 10 CS 340. Cited. 13 CS 59. History. 13 CS 330. Compared with former statute. 15 CS 413. Protest against change of zone may be filed any time before final definitive action changing zone. 16 CS 42. In term "at least ten days before the hearing" n