Town Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – June 9, 2026

The Windsor Town Planning and Zoning Commission held a hybrid regular meeting on June 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, Town Hall. The meeting covered routine approvals, a special use re-approval for a restaurant, and a public hearing on a text amendment to align local zoning with Connecticut Public Act 25-1 (middle housing). The commission also received updates on regional housing data and planning activities.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of May 13, 2026: Approved with corrections. Commissioner Levine proposed several textual corrections (e.g., regarding Founders Square deed-restricted units and a fence description on Mountain Road). Motion carried 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Aaron Keeney (603 Berkeley Road): Spoke in support of the special use re-approval for Bart’s (55 Palisado Avenue), praising the restaurant as a community gathering space and emphasizing the importance of allowing beer/wine/cider service for young adults. Later, during the text amendment hearing, Keeney urged the commission to adopt the middle housing regulations to increase housing availability and variety, noting high rents (e.g., $1,900 for a studio at Foundry Square) and the need for options like duplexes and cottage clusters.

Discussion Items

• Commissioner’s Report (CRCOG Meeting): Commissioner Levine reported attending a Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) meeting where a regional housing data report was released. Discussion centered on whether the market should dictate housing supply; attendees generally agreed market forces are a reasonable gauge.
• Planner’s Report: Planner Todd Seely provided an update on ongoing development approvals and construction. He noted a potential application for July that may trigger a special use or text amendment, and expressed intent to maintain the August break (no meeting).
• Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies (CFPZA) Newsletter: Commissioner Levine asked about counting already-approved developments toward state housing quotas. Seely clarified that the state’s housing growth plans focus on affordable units and that CRCOG is working with municipalities to factor in existing projects.
• Special Use Re-approval – 55 Palisado Avenue (Bart’s): Applicant Paul Brault requested renewal of a special use permit for beer, wine, and cider service at the limited-service restaurant. The original approval (October 2024) was for one year. Brault sought an indefinite extension but accepted a five-year term. The commission separated indoor from outdoor entertainment; the outdoor stage approval (previously granted) was not being pursued. After public comment, the commission approved a five-year extension for indoor alcohol service and indoor entertainment. Motion carried 5-0.
• Text Amendment – Middle Housing (Public Act 25-1): Planner Seely presented a comprehensive overview of the state’s new housing law, which requires municipalities to allow transit-oriented middle housing (2–9 units) and mixed-use development by summary review in commercial/mixed-use zones by July 1, 2026. The presentation covered definitions (duplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters), summary review (similar to site plan review but without discretionary denial), parking reforms (developments under 16 units cannot be denied solely for parking), and optional provisions (conservation traffic mitigation districts). Seely raised key questions about whether “middle housing or mixed-use” means municipalities must permit both, and whether the law applies to overlay districts. He recommended continuing the hearing to gather more information. The public hearing was opened, and Aaron Keeney spoke in support. A letter from CRCOG found no conflict with regional plans. The commission voted 5-0 to continue the public hearing to the July meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of May 13, 2026: Approved as corrected (5-0).
• Special Use Re-approval – 55 Palisado Avenue: Approved for a five-year period (5-0) covering indoor beer, wine, and cider service and indoor entertainment. Outdoor entertainment remains a separate future application.
• Text Amendment – Middle Housing: Public hearing opened and continued to the July 2026 meeting (5-0) to allow time to resolve outstanding interpretive questions. The commission noted that if an application arrives after July 1, 2026, before local regulations are adopted, state law will supersede.
• Other: The items for 231 and 235 Dudley Town Road were removed from the agenda due to unpaid fees and missing notices. The commission accepted application 625 Data Road for a July hearing.