Category Archives: Old Lyme

Letter to the Editor: Support Old Lyme Zoning Commission in Enforcing Regulations for Smith Neck House Plan, Reminder That a Hill is Still a Hill

Posted on by

To the Editor:

Over 100 people attended the OL Zoning Commission hearing on Monday evening. They frequently applauded the many speakers who disapproved of the proposed 11,000 square foot house proposed beside the Smith Neck Boat launch. Speakers described site violations of regulations, excessive water use and un-permitted clearcutting. The CT River Gateway Commission has recommended denial of the zoning application. Over many decades, Old Lyme residents have developed and agreed on our zoning regulations to protect the quality of our environment and the character of our towns.  

The Applicant’s architect asserted many surprising defenses as to why they should be allowed to build a house that does not comply with the zoning regulations. One main point was that the other houses in the neighborhood didn’t comply with the regulations but she forgot to add that the other houses were built in the 30’s before the regulations existed. 

Perhaps the Applicants most bizarre claim was that the requirement to locate the house behind the crest of the hill doesn’t apply. They actually asserted that the  property is not really on a hill, so there isn’t really a crest of the hill, because there can’t be a crest if there isn’t a hill. Anyone with two feet knows that there is a hill and a crest at the boat launch and this house must be located behind the crest according to the regulations. 

The hearing reinforced the need for town residents to support the CT River Gateway Commission denial and let the volunteers on the Zoning Commission know that we support them in enforcing our regulations. The hearing process for this Application is closed but Old Lyme’s need for regulatory clarity and compliance is not.  The Zoning Commission rules apply to everyone and failure to enforce them puts us all at risk of living in a community with unchecked development, with no hills. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Karter,
Old Lyme.

Old Lyme Zoning Continues Hearing on Halls Rd. Overlay District through Feb. 27

Posted on by
The audience for Wednesday’s Special Meeting of the Old Lyme Zoning Commission ultimately numbered around 60.

OLD LYME—Around 60 people turned out for last night’s Old Lyme Zoning Commission Special Meeting, which had originally been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13, but was postponed due to the number in attendance at that meeting. The audience exceeded the permitted fire regulations.

The agenda for Wednesday’s meeting featured both an Old Business item and a Continued Public Hearing related to a Petition to Amend the Old Lyme Zoning Regulations, Section 5.15, to create a Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) allowing, among other items, mixed zoning use along Halls Road and the entire C-30S Zoning District, with associated architectural design guidelines.

Edie Twining, Halls Road Improvement Committee Chair, answered questions from the podium.

The Town of Old Lyme is the applicant.

After the details of this optional Overlay District proposal had been presented by Atty. William Sweeney, public comment was opened and a variety of comments, both in support of and opposed to the proposal were made.

Atty. William Sweeney (left) presented details of the proposed HROD plan.

Old Lyme Economic Development Commission Chairman Cheryl Poirier spoke in support of the proposal as did Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Kim Thompson.

A number of other people spoke against it.

The Zoning Commission proposed some changes to the wording in the proposal, which the HRIC appeared willing to make.

The meeting ended around 9:40 p.m. with the Public Hearing being continued through to a Special Meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Old Lyme Town Hall.

Old Lyme Zoning Meeting Draws Over Capacity Crowd; Halls Rd. Overlay District Item Postponed to New Meeting, Wednesday

Posted on by

OLD LYME—UPDATED 1/14 at 9pm with additional details on the speakers for the applicant: Last night’s Old Lyme (OL) Zoning Commission meeting drew such a large audience, which not only filled the Meeting Room but also spilled out into the Lobby, that OL Fire Marshal David Roberge determined the spaces were over-capacity from a fire safety angle.

Asked in a phone call how he handled the situation, he told LymeLIne that his estimate was that there were around 135 people in attendance with over 110 in the Meeting Room and the remainder out in the Lobby.

He continued, “We discussed the problem with the Zoning Chair and gave them (sic) a couple of options.” Commission members decided to postpone the second item on the agenda relating to the Halls Rd. Overlay District until Wednesday. That meeting will now be held in the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium starting at 6:30 p.m.

With that announcement, Roberge estimated the audience reduced to around 85, thus falling within the fire-safety parameters for the Meeting Room.

When the business of the evening finally began, the proceedings opened with a number of people speaking on behalf of the applicants, Jeffrey and Emily Merriam, including their attorney, Lewis K. Wise; Senior Design Architect for Cardello Architects Sarah Finch (the main speaker), along with an additional architect; and engineer Seamus Moran PE of H+H Engineering.

The second speaker was ‘the Intervener’—Peter McKillop—a Smiths Neck Rd. resident, who spoke on behalf of the non-profit Great Island Foundation, Inc.

Finally, roughly an hour later, the public had a chance to speak. Some 17 individuals offered opinions and concerns, exclusively with a negative point of view towards the proposal. Those commenting variously asked the Commission outright to deny the application for an 11,000 sq. ft. eight-bedroom, seven-bathroom house with two laundries, a swimming pool, and extensive gardens; or send it back to the Connecticut River Gateway Commission for further review; or to request answers to the numerous still unanswered questions by the applicant; or other questions.

The applicant then responded to comments from both the ‘Intervener’ and the public.

The Zoning Chair then closed the Hearing at around 9:15 p.m., which meant no further comments can be accepted from this point onwards.

The meeting itself ended around 30 minutes later. The Commission now has 65 days to render a decision.

Editor’s Note: We have been advised that since last month’s meeting, the applicant has removed the proposed pool from the application, and added more landscaping.

Old Lyme Zoning Commission to Review Applications for New Home on Smith Neck Rd., Halls Rd. Overlay District Tonight

Posted on by
1

OLD LYME—UPDATED 1/12 10:20PM with links to additional Letters to the Editor: On Monday, Jan. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Memorial Town Hall Meeting Room, the Old Lyme Zoning Commission will hold its next regular monthly meeting. The agenda features two topics that have been sparking interest in the community.

The first is 43 Smith Neck Rd. in the RU-40 Zone, which is the subject of both a Continued Public Hearing and an Old Business item. The applicants, Jeffrey and Emily Merriam, are seeking a Special Permit to replace and construct a new five-bedroom residence with an attached two-car garage.

Visit this link to read a Letter to the Editor that offers an opinion about the project.

Visit this link to read a Letter to the Editor that raises concerns about well water supplies after completion of the project.

The agenda also notes in another item that a Public Hearing will be opened into a Petition to Amend the Old Lyme Zoning Regulations, Section 5.15 to create a Halls Road Overlay District allowing, among other items, mixed zoning use along Halls Road and the entire C-30S Zoning District, with associated architectural design guidelines. The applicant in this case is the Halls Road Improvement Committee (HRIC.)

The HRIC suggests residents interested in the project should bring written thoughts to read and submit, and make a statement for the record. Visit this link to read a Letter to the Editor urging supporters of the proposal to attend the meeting.

Attorney William Sweeney will describe the details of this optional Overlay District and answer questions.

The HRIC believes approval of this addition to Old Lyme’s Zoning is a vital step supporting the future prosperity and livability of Old Lyme.

The HRIC submits that the key features of its proposal are that it:

  • Is totally optional; it allows but does not require change to any property.
  • Keeps the shopping area vital and focused on Old Lyme, not the highway.
  • Creates options for much needed apartment type housing.
  • Balances housing stock without covering the remaining open land.
  • Promotes creation of a safe, walkable, bike-able, mixed-use town center.
  • Guides (via the Design Review process) development to be “like Old Lyme.”
  • Promotes increased town revenues, reducing residents’ taxes.

The HRIC suggests readers visit this link for more information: https://www.oldlyme-ct.gov/343/Halls-Road-Improvements-Committee

Letter to the Editor: Halls Rd. Overlay District on Agenda at Old Lyme Zoning Meeting; Residents Encouraged to Attend, Support Proposal

Posted on by

A Open Letter to the Residents of Old Lyme

To the Editor:

On Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:30 pm in Memorial Town Hall, the Halls Road Improvements Committee of the Town of Old Lyme will present the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) proposal in a public meeting of the Old Lyme Zoning Commission. Attorney William Sweeney will describe the details of this optional Overlay District and answer questions. 

The Planning Commission has unanimously agreed that the HROD proposal is consistent with the goals and standards set out for the Town in its latest Plan of Conservation and Development (2020). Now it is up to Zoning to approve, reject, or modify the proposal. 

The HROD is the centerpiece of the Halls Road Master Plan. Current commercial-only zoning does not allow the changes envisioned there. HROD creates the options needed to allow investors to help change the focus of Halls Road toward the needs of Old Lyme and not through travelers. 

This is an important public meeting, and a chance to show your support for a better future for Old Lyme. I urge you to come and be counted; bring your written thoughts to read and submit, make a statement for the record. We need your support to carry this important matter forward. 

Approval of this added flexibility in our zoning is a vital step in supporting the future prosperity and livability of Old Lyme.

The image above shows a rendering of what the northwest segment of Halls Rd. might look like after the implementation of the proposed HROD. Image credit: Edie Twining.

Key Features of HROD are that it:

• Is totally optional; allows but does not require change to any property. 

• Keeps our shopping area vital and focused on Old Lyme, not the highway. 

• Creates options for much needed apartment/town-house-type housing. 

• Balances our housing stock without using up our remaining open land. 

• Promotes creation of a safe, walkable, bikeable, mixed-use town center. 

• Follows Design Review process guides development to be “like Old Lyme.” 

• Promotes significant new town revenues, reducing resident taxes. 

Thank you in advance for your help with this important issue. I look forward to seeing you there!

For more information on the project, visit this link.

Sincerely,

Edie Twining,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is the chair of Old Lyme’s Halls Road Improvements Committee.