741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Land Use/Planning/Public Works

Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman S. Naomi

Rodriguez

Regular Meeting

Monday, May 5, 2025

6:00 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

In -Person: Annex Meeting Room - Town Hall Annex Building

Remote Participation: Information Noted Below:

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CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Councilor St. Vil at 6:04 p.m. at

the Town Hall Annex Building.

Councilor St. Vil welcomed all to the Hybird Meeting noting for the Town Council Land

Use/Planning/Public Works Committee and members of the Public who were

participating via video conference that the remote meeting information was available on

the Agenda that was posted on the Town’s Website - Granicus-Legistar Meeting Portal.

II.

ROLL CALL

Gary St. Vil

Present:

Kevin Dombrowski

Carmen Garcia-Irizarry

In addition, the following were present:

Elizabeth Burdick, Land Use Director/Town Planner

Karen Parkinson, Historic District Commission Member

Doug Kelley, Historic District Commission Member

Roxanne Maher, Administrative Assistant

III.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

IV.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Land Use/Planning/Public Works Minutes of April 7, 2025

Moved by Councilor Dombrowski, seconded by Councilor Garcia-Irizarry

VOTE:

3 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Kevin Dombrowski

RESULT:

MOVER:

Carmen Garcia-Irizarry

SECONDER:

VI.

OLD BUSINESS

Continued discussion regarding the progress of enforcing regulations to address blight issues.

Councilor St. Vil noted that the Blight Report was provided for tonight’s meeting;

and thanked Zoning Enforcement Officer Hannah Gienau noted that he appreciated

her work.

Land Use Director/Town Planner Elizbeth Burdick stated the Blight Enforcement

Officer Hannah Gienau has been doing a good job with inspections, telephone calls,

letters, and following up.

Ms. Burdick continued by reporting that today the Land Use Department began to

prepare a Citation for the property located across the street from Holdridge’s on

Route 117, Colonel Ledyard Highway. She explained the person who was renting the

property had submitted an Application to Planning and Zoning Commission,

however, she stated before the Commission reviewed the Application and before the

renter obtained the Plot Plan that was being done Dieter and Gardner Surveyors the

individual brought in materials and started doing site work. She went on to explain

that the Planning & Zoning Commission Denied the Application Without Prejudice

because it did not represent the existing conditions. Therefore, she stated that the

Land Use Department was moving forward with the Enforcement Action, explaining

that in the event the Applicant decided not to resubmit their Application, they would

have the Citation on file. She stated that should the Applicant not respond to the

Citation that they would follow the Enforcement Sequence that Mr. Eric Treaster

discussed at the October 7, 2024 LUPPW Committee meeting, noting that using that

process would be their last resort, noting that this property was the only urgent issue.

Ms. Burdick stated the Land Use Department has been receiving a good response in

working to bring most of the Blighted Properties into compliance with telephone

calls, and knocking on doors to try to help residents. She noted that she would be

happy to answer questions regarding any of the properties listed on the Blight Report.

Councilor St. Vil stated although this was not related to Blight Issues that he has been

seeing Commercial Vehicles parked on the roads. He commented on the safety

hazards because these were large trucks and vehicles noting that it impedes site lines

and that you cannot see the kids getting on or off the school bus. He noted that a

Recreation Vehicle (RV) has been parked in a cul-de-sac on a curve stating that other

vehicles cannot see around the RV and that there has also been a Food Vender Truck

parked on the street. He stated the Food Truck was not selling food; and that he

understands that these were our residents and our constituents, and that he respected

them. However, stated that he had concerns regarding safety, noting that they could

park the vehicles in their driveway and on their lot.

Councilor Dombrowski stated in 2023 the Town Council amended Ordinance

#300-027 (rev. 2) “An Ordinance Regulating Parking and Other Activities in Town

Roads and Town Rights of Way and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof” to

address commercial vehicles that were being parked on streets. He noted that Section

6; Paragraphs ( c) & (d) were added as follows:

No vehicle shall be permitted to be parked on any street for a

period of more than ten (10) consecutive days in any 365-day period.

After such period, such vehicle will be considered a fixed obstruction

according to Section 3 Paragraph (a).

No person shall park or store any commercial or industrial

vehicle on any public street or roadway within any residential district

or in front of any property currently used residentially unless for the

purpose of actively loading or unloading materials, or while actively

engaged in providing commercial service at the premises; nor shall

such vehicles be parked in a residential district or in front of an

existing residence outside normal business hours unless on site for an

emergency service call.

The LUPPW Committee members noted that they have seen large commercial

vehicles parked on Meetinghouse Lane - Pennywise Lane, and Highland Drive.

Land Use Director/Town Planner Elizbeth Burdick stated that she recalled former

Zoning Enforcement Officer Alex Samalot working on something similar; and that

she would check the file, noting that she believed this was something the Land Use

Department could address. She stated although their Zoning Regulations do provide

for Home Occupation Permits; that it would not allow a Food Truck to be parked on

the road. She stated that she would look into the matters that the LUPPW Committee

noted this evening.

Councilor Dombrowski noted that Ordinance: #300-027 (rev. 2) “An Ordinance

Regulating Parking and Other Activities in Town Roads and Town Rights of Way and

Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof” included provisions for enforcement,

noting that the parking of commercial vehicles and large vehicles on the roads may

be something that should be referred to the Police Department.

Councilor St. Vil stated that he had concerns because he did not want to see anyone

get hurt, noting that you cannot see a child because their view was being blocked by a

big truck.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Spicer Homestead Ruins - Historical Research and Photos.

Mrs. Karen Parkinson, 55 Rose Hill Road, Ledyard, Historic District Commission, stated

that she has been reading the process to preserve a property under the Historic

Designation. She explained that in continuing her work that she realized that the

LUPPW Committee was actually wearing the following two hats: (1) As the Town they

were the owner of the Property; and (2) Legislative Body. She went on to note for the

Historic District Commission to proceed that the Town Council, as the Legislative Body,

needed to “Appoint or authorize the Chief Elected Official of the municipality to

appoint an Historic District Study Committee for the purpose of making an

investigation of a proposed Historic District or Districts” so that the Historic District

Commission would not have to keep coming back to the LUPPW Committee during

the process to proceed with the work involved to seek a Historic Designation of the

Spicer Homestead Ruins.

Councilor Dombrowski noted his June 3, 2024 email outlining the Process to seek a

Historic Designation and he explained that before the Town Council can provide

authorization that the Historic District Commission would need to submit a formal

request to the Town Council that included the following information listed in Items

#1 & 2 of the State Statute Historic Designation Process; and he questioned whether

any of the work has been completed:

1. The Legislative Body shall appoint or authorize the Chief Elected Official of the

municipality to appoint an Historic District Study Committee for the purpose of

making an investigation of a proposed Historic District or Districts.

2. The Historic District Study Committee shall:

a). Perform an analysis of the historic significance and architectural merit of the

buildings, structures, places or surroundings to be included in the proposed

historic district or districts and the significance of the district as a whole.

b). Provide a general description of the area to be included within the district or

districts, including the total number of buildings in each such district or

districts listed according to their known or estimated ages.

c). Create a map showing the exact boundaries of the area to be included within the

district or districts. Councilor Dombrowski noted that this would require an

A2 Survey.

d). Develop a proposed ordinance or proposed ordinances designed to create and

provide for the operation of an Historic District or Districts.

e). Determine such other matters as the Committee may deem necessary or

advisable.

Mrs. Parkinson stated although Dieter & Gardner Surveyors conducted the A2 Survey

that the Survey was not done on the entire 4.4 acres that the Historic District

Commission would like to preserve. She also noted in reviewing the State Statutes that

it appears that more steps were added to the requirements. She stated that she has

been talking with Connecticut Preservation Archaeologist Stefon Danczuk to obtain

additional clarification regarding the process.

Councilor St. Vil stated that the discussions to obtain a Historic Designation of the

Spicer Homestead Ruins has been on-going for a long time, noting that it started

before he began serving on the Town Council and the Land Use/Planning/Public

Works Committee. He noted in past meetings that they have laid out a Road Map to

accomplish that goal. He expressed concern that when Mrs. Parkinson attends the

LUPPW Committee Meetings that they continue to discuss the same Road Map; they

have not made any progress.

Mrs. Parkinson stated that she agreed with Councilor St. Vil’s comments, and she

stated per the State Statute that the Historic District Commission needed to be

appointed by the Legislative Body to conduct the investigation and study. She

questioned whether the Historic District Commission’s Town Council Liaison Barnes

would need to submit that request to the Town Council.

Councilor St. Vil stated that he has also read the State Statute text that Councilor

Dombrowski previously provided. He explained that things were not always black

and white, noting that sometimes they were a little grey. He stated in accordance with

Ordinance #300-019 “An Ordinance Establishing Historic District Boundaries And

Establishing A Historic District Commission for the Town of Ledyard” that the

Historic District Commission already had the ability to take on tasks to investigate

the feasibility of preserving historic properties such as the Spicer Homestead Ruins.

He stated that Mrs. Parkinson has done a good job at gaining alignment of the

Historic District Commission, the LUPPW Committee and the Mayor in that they

would support efforts to seek a Historic Designation for the Spicer Homestead Ruins.

Therefore, he questioned based on the assumption that the Historic District

Commission would go off and do those things what was different from the original

Road Map; and what was next on the list.

Councilor Dombrowski stated that there were a number of things that needed to be

done under Item #2 which included the following:

· A2 Survey of the area;

· Legal Property Description;

· Planning & Zoning Commission Review;

· Public Hearing must be held;

· State Historic Commission;

Doug Kelley, 40 Pinelock Drive, Gales Ferry, Historic District Commission Member,

noting that what he was hearing was that the Commission would need to present the

A2 Survey and other documentation to the Town Council. However, he stated that

they would first need to get the A2 Survey finalized.

Land Use Director/Town Planner Elizabeth Burdick questioned where Mrs.

Parkinson obtained the 4.4 acre map that she provided to Mr. Gardner of Dieter &

Gardner Surveyors. Mrs. Parkinson stated in working with Chad Frost of Kent +

Frost Landscape Architecture on the Tri-Town Trail that based on the footage from

the stone walls the water and the easement the Mr. Frost provided her with the 4.4

acre map. Ms. Burdick stated that she would talk with Mayor Allyn, III, regarding

the A2 Survey of the Spicer Homestead Ruins and would get back to Mrs. Parkinson.

Ms. Burdick went on to note that the Land Use Department recently received a new

book that was published regarding “What’s Legally Required”. She stated there was a

section in the book regarding Historic District Commissions and it laid out the steps

that have to be taken to seek a Historic Designation; and how to go about getting

these types of things done. She offered to meet with Mrs. Parkinson to sit down

together and go over those steps. She also offered to attend a Historic District

Commission meeting to review the step-by-step process regarding the things that they

would need to do to move their initiative forward.

Councilor St. Vil stated that he admired Mrs. Parkinson’s passion and dedication,

and that he had a tremendous amount of respect for her and the work that she has

been doing for the town, noting that he wanted her to be successful with this effort.

Councilor St. Vil stated that the LUPPW Committee would continue to keep this

item their Agenda as the Historic District Commission continued their work to obtain

necessary the documentation to begin the process to seek a Historic Designation for

the Spicer Homestead Ruins.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Discussion to consider drafting an Ordinance to address Noise Issues, as requested in Ms.

Johnston’s August 12, 2024 email.

Councilor St. Vil provided an overview of the work that the LUPPW Committee has

done in researching Ms. Johnston’s request for the town to consider adopting a Noise

Ordinance

based on her concerns regarding the noise from the construction of greenhouses, the

operation of equipment, loud music; and the hours of weekend operations coming

from the business adjacent to her property. He stated in working with Police Chief

John Rich, and Land Use Director/Town Planner Elizabeth Burdick the LUPPW

Committee learned that in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes 22a-67 et

seq; complaints regarding noise fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement. He

noted that Police Chief John Rich indicated that there was sufficient remedy in the

existing state statutes to allow the Police Department to effectively deal with noise

complaints; noting that an appeals process for any violation of state statute already

existed within the courts. He also noted that Ms. Burdick has been working with

Prides Nursery Farm on compliance issues.

Councilor St. Vil stated based on these findings that LUPPW Committee agreed for

him to write a letter to Ms. Johnston to inform her of their findings that a Noise

Ordinance was not needed because the Connecticut General Statutes included

provisions to address noise through the Police Department. He stated that his letter

dated April 24, 2025 was attached to LF #2024-0778 on the Meeting Portal.

Councilor Garcia-Irizarry, attending remotely via Zoom, stated that based on a very

loud noise residents heard in town last weekend that she was surprised that more

residents did not attend tonight’s meeting to express their support for a Noise

Ordinance. Councilor Dombrowski stated the noise Councilor Garcia-Irizarry was

referring to was from the Waterford Speed Bowl. He stated even if Ledyard had a

Noise Ordinance which was complicated to implement and enforce, that it would not

have addressed the loud noise that was coming from a neighboring town.

Land Use Director-Town Planner Eliazbeth Burdick provided an overview of the of

the work that the Land Use Department Staff has been doing with the owners of

Prides Corner Nursery Farm. She stated that she along with her staff have met with

the owners of he business and that they were actively working with them to obtain

compliance with the Building Codes and the Town’s Zoning Regulations. Ms.

Burdick reported the following actions were underway:

Prides Corner is in the process of obtaining the “Existing Conditions Survey” to

find out where all of the Greenhouses were located.

Prides Corner is working to obtain permits for the about thirty new Hoop

Houses; and the Town has requested Prides Corner meet the required setbacks

for the Hoop Houses.

Prides Corner stated they would work to keep the noise level down; and has

expressed their desire to be good neighbors.

Ms. Burdick questioned whether the LUPPW Committee has received any feedback

from Ms. Johnston regarding their April 24, 2025 letter; or any other complaints

since Ms. Johnston attended the LUPPW Committee’s September 9, 2024 meeting.

Councilor St. Vil stated that they have not received any other comments from Ms.

Johnston. However, he stated in their April 24, 2025 letter the LUPPW Committee

asked that should Ms. Johnston have any additional issues that she contact Police

Chief John Rich or Land Use Director Elizabeth Burdick. Therefore, he stated if there

were issues, that Ms. Burdick would know.

Councilor St. Vil went on to state that the LUPPW Committee would keep this item

on their Agenda for one or two more meetings; and that they would follow up with

Ms. Burdick and Chief Rich to see if they have any additional information. He stated

if they do not hear any more with respect to the noise ordinance that the Committee

would close this item out.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Any other Old Business proper to come before the Committee.

None.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Any other New Business proper to come before the Committee.

None.