[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6147779,"mediaKeyId","5520576-fd4abdced9d2ef709c70c8074f979d19","parentId",5520576,"title","Planning and Zoning Commission approves special permit for 14 Richmond Hill to rebuild four‑unit dwelling","audioSeconds",818,"startMs",91000,"endMs",909000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520576-fd4abdced9d2ef709c70c8074f979d19&start=91&end=909","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520576-fd4abdced9d2ef709c70c8074f979d19/thumbnail_91000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6147779/Connecticut/Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-approves-special-permit-for-14-Richmond-Hill-to-rebuild-fourunit-dwelling","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147779-cf54f9136e720036df6d6bb5dce7fccb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810272&Signature=WmsygAVl0njOPrYkNH6UamxVm7VvgZH2esieGBu82dOmypGIPgLrZ7QrAZHGb0X-n1Ghc8QvPYIsoLjBucZCXxznIopuRVpt8sIdORyAKKXJcraCbQA4Cl908KR77oD4QrOaqboDuG-6RsydWc8eN1~RkH8qHL5WJBwTmJ3QGAbNt8HWMuat24jmGibKZ-kj5rI5ryVoun664Ft43YJoOl-E6wG-OPRCNnOBiAjz0tGKRQ~k~ZhDrehMU~~b5QtTr2vZnFASEQTUGX6YUfclueYsGCYGssHEibk3wl87GkTywHGGpiOCBeYrSTB95zazQIQmLHhWdInjEP6p2yGWhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Canaan, CT","date","2025-08-01T04:08:44.19Z","article","The New Canaan Planning and Zoning Commission on July 29 approved a special permit allowing the demolition and replacement of an existing four‑unit building at 14 Richmond Hill Road, permitting 15‑foot side yard setbacks and up to 30 percent site coverage under a recent zoning text amendment in the apartment zone.

The commission’s vote followed the applicant’s presentation, in which David Ruchi, the authorized agent for 14 Richmond Hill LLC, said the project would keep the same unit count and lower the roofline from about 39.7 feet to roughly 37 feet. “We will stick with the 4 units that’s there today,” Ruchi said during the hearing.

The permit is sought under the town zoning regulations’ special permit process and the newly adopted text change allowing certain preexisting nonconforming apartment‑zone buildings to rebuild with reduced setbacks, increased coverage (up to 30 percent) and other specified waivers when the overall development is consistent with the zone and of high quality. The commission’s deliberation referenced those regulatory criteria and the special‑permit standards in section 5.4(c).

During the hearing the applicant showed site plans and elevations, explained landscaping and parking improvements, and noted that the revised building would provide required parking, about 50 percent landscaped area required in the apartment zone, and an elevator intended to improve accessibility. The fire marshal reviewed the garage bay layout and had no unresolved objections, the applicant said. The applicant also emphasized that the rebuilt structure would sit at a slightly lower grade than the recently approved building at 20 Richmond Hill Road.

Commissioners indicated their primary concern at the prior hearing had been building height; the applicant responded by reducing the ridge line. With no public comments or additional conditions raised at the hearing, a motion to approve was made by a commissioner and seconded. The roll call vote recorded a unanimous approval among participating members; one commissioner did not participate in that vote and was noted as recused/not participating.

The permit approval allows the applicant to proceed subject to any standard building‑permit and fire‑marshal approvals and any conditions the town staff typically places on special permits. The applicant and staff said the project will be reviewed by building and engineering departments before any construction permits are issued.

The commission closed the public hearing the same evening and moved to the next agenda item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting July 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The New Canaan Planning and Zoning Commission on July 29 approved a special permit allowing the demolition and replacement of an existing four‑unit building at 14 Richmond Hill Road, permitting 15‑foot side yard setbacks and up to 30 percent site coverage under a recent apartment‑zone text amendment.","taxTitle","New Canaan, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",57946,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6147768,"Planning commission moves September meeting to Thursday, Sept. 25",144,2412000,2556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520576-fd4abdced9d2ef709c70c8074f979d19&start=2412&end=2556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520576-fd4abdced9d2ef709c70c8074f979d19/thumbnail_2412000.jpg","/articles/6147768/Connecticut/Planning-commission-moves-September-meeting-to-Thursday-Sept-25","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147768-6bf182a923a890da9b0941923ec3fbc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810272&Signature=OCdOhsfKb6zZmDwQ8GJRks7YhDqKQ3dggLULQpBEs3tWwIj3Qg2fpJixM3EdxKBC54IDOqHsJHpNoOTvY~Cm932AbAdgkjjB1Ixe1c3qKEnUHtMlaPdK9mln~R1QRZTUmxSx4i5OrOSLKrqMHco18Q~kcZWJHAVr6veBFF1P6inkhNkqeAvo-Zew3s1P6ilZ2Uzfbm6oqNNfzaFgL5GwKKG~V~3LmL-Nvgf2UFz0~COio6aiQlm5ZIZ44bhfTqOSmgzv1DvEK7pvDJB3yAbhry2g8BNV0XRFRURKCRbtMLlOi1gXy~8RGryRi7fyF1rSkmBln5Ai9h00PZUcUVvZsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Zoning Commission agreed during its July 29 meeting to reschedule the September meeting from Tuesday, Sept. 30 to Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the usual meeting room to accommodate member availability. The change was discussed in view of staff and member conflicts on Sept. 30 and the expectation that a hotel application may be filed in August that would create a larger agenda for September.

Commission members discussed alternatives and noted the Thursday date avoids a holiday conflict and better ensures a quorum. The chair confirmed the meeting room’s availability on the new date and closed the item by announcing the rescheduled date.","The commission agreed to change its September meeting from Sept. 30 to Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the same meeting room to accommodate member availability and potential larger agenda items.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6147773,"Commission approves Grama Farms Foundation benefit auction items; staff notes event caps under 2013 approval",247,2152000,2399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520576-fd4abdced9d2ef709c70c8074f979d19&start=2152&end=2399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520576-fd4abdced9d2ef709c70c8074f979d19/thumbnail_2152000.jpg","/articles/6147773/Connecticut/Commission-approves-Grama-Farms-Foundation-benefit-auction-items-staff-notes-event-caps-under-2013-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147773-9c17c90d5aaf1b6d3e7a480aece36108/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810272&Signature=imgDWXaUBE-5Wz~uQUo4Idk~db1fmZiErWTjOnXdRjjySV3Hx39544Tr8~bzvDSHDWCPzi01aQhCFXA5iGL6JO8hledcCphfch~PqLFEsIB3h2AuN~-GBhpZNWdjoEZ9F2bvHSO5RbJ8P9KUSJd9oTpcWoRnYTlxJ5~og4Abjb9dvzSyLzsUxydVRgLDi-aYh004UukDnFv07oR1~tiB~46WWtlcsCSNWpXLadn-F1hQPaZm49XrsVOgE38aIJ~k-IYI7bA2RTiUTNUjyUgCNgwJKg3slt0PJqhMZy9rBGb0qYEp7FEqZvqhdLUYIEvCTwJs7SmvxfX9K7MFSbDnmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Zoning Commission on July 29 approved sponsorship/auction items proposed by the Grama Farms Foundation for its annual benefit, including a cocktail party and two “lunch and learn” experiences at Grace Farms.

Commission staff explained that the foundation’s operations remain subject to conditions from its original approval (2013), which included a detailed set of event‑use restrictions, visitor caps by event size, and a requirement that staff receive monthly visitor logs to verify compliance. The commission noted the foundation’s proposed auction items are consistent with prior years’ offerings and do not cause the property to exceed its annual visitor quotas.

Commissioners approved the items by show of hands with no objections recorded. Staff reiterated that event categories and any larger events remain monitored under the 2013 approval conditions and that staff will continue to track visitor logs and any parking or traffic implications as part of routine oversight.","The commission approved annual sponsorship/auction items from the Grama Farms Foundation for its benefit at Grace Farms and staff noted the foundation remains subject to the conditions of its original 2013 approval, including limits on event sizes and monthly monitoring of visitor logs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6147777,"Commission approves special permit to restore historic barn, expand garage at 12 Nursery Road",736,955000,1691000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520576-fd4abdced9d2ef709c70c8074f979d19&start=955&end=1691","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520576-fd4abdced9d2ef709c70c8074f979d19/thumbnail_955000.jpg","/articles/6147777/Connecticut/Commission-approves-special-permit-to-restore-historic-barn-expand-garage-at-12-Nursery-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147777-dc31c05ca75b658f5e4cff33d66462cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810272&Signature=MkdBherg4lITSICJZsyIrNnEbqS1R5gaQas7JiAuvGmmx90Knnbs4rXZ1R1Sv0Rmcxz59I-FfXcLv3u1wjcZqpiua-fd1NDowxpDqHYrvSTUOwQCOxIh3NyResPk5ofF4YB~EwIUFpj~osRl3szeBkSLRknbYggUAe3rZcSCype0Wvu-7uEGBTWU647lTJNQMeg~ZS2wMGAnCjo7I-zsvfhjWG18L69zmUcaWjXZySp2Vv6jUvOAXQEIB6vK2ex5fjclRteqxSFcNN7dDqtfS2ELsNx436hlKe~AQdQ9ykv1oWo5GsQpgmsM87mxv1JP5R3qKpl-DXI7nJFnoWkv1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Canaan Planning and Zoning Commission on July 29 approved a special permit for work to restore a historic timber‑frame barn and to slightly expand an attached garage at 12 Nursery Road, allowing the accessory structure to exceed 1,000 square feet under section 3.4(c.0.7) of the zoning regulations.

Christopher Fagan of Christopher Fagan Studio Architecture presented the application on behalf of owner Daniel Pollock. Fagan described the barn as likely original to the property (circa 1760), and said the work will stabilize and rehabilitate the timber framing, create family recreation space inside the historic portion, and rebuild the attached garage as a two‑car workshop and storage area. “By removing a somewhat dilapidated shed closer to the street, we'd be able to make a slight expansion of the garage,” Fagan said, and the net built area would be slightly reduced.

The applicant told the commission the cumulative outbuilding area triggers the special permit because the accessory structure will exceed 1,000 square feet. The project team presented a survey and a drainage plan prepared by a civil engineer; the applicant said the town Inland Wetlands Department had issued a wetlands permit earlier in the year and offered guidance for construction mitigation near the brook on the property.

Key technical points cited at the hearing: the existing shed is about 193 square feet and the proposed garage expansion is about 180 square feet (approximately a 6‑foot extension to the east), producing a slight net reduction in coverage; the proposed garage and barn rooflines will remain essentially unchanged; the historic barn framing will be stabilized in place and may be insulated with a thin exterior system so the visible interior character remains; and limited landscaping will be added (evergreen screening along the property line) while leaving the wetlands frontage largely undisturbed.

Commissioners praised the project as a sensitive preservation effort that keeps the historic structure’s proportions and makes modest interventions to keep the barn in active use. One commissioner recommended, as a nonbinding suggestion, that the applicant consider designing garage doors that better reflect barn‑style doors; the board left that as a recommendation rather than a condition.

A motion to approve the special permit was made and seconded; a roll‑call vote recorded unanimous approval among commissioners present. The commission noted standard building, drainage and wetlands‑permit conditions remain in effect and staff will monitor compliance during permit review and construction.","The commission unanimously approved a special permit July 29 for a restoration and modest expansion of a historic timber‑frame barn and attached garage at 12 Nursery Road; the proposal keeps the barn’s historic character, slightly reduces net coverage by removing a shed, and has an inland‑wetlands permit.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning and Zoning Commission approves special permit for 14 Richmond Hill to rebuild four‑unit dwelling

Planning commission moves September meeting to Thursday, Sept. 25

Commission approves Grama Farms Foundation benefit auction items; staff notes event caps under 2013 approval

Commission approves special permit to restore historic barn, expand garage at 12 Nursery Road