Orange Government Roundup: Steps Variance Granted, Zoning Meeting Off
ORANGE, CT — Orange's Zoning Board of Appeals granted a College Street homeowner a variance Monday, Oct. 5, to rebuild crumbling front steps, and the Town Plan and Zoning Commission called off its Tuesday meeting.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The board voted 5-0 to approve a street-line setback variance for 831 College Street, according to its unapproved minutes. The owner asked to add two steps to front stairs she described as uneven, crumbling and unsafe. The house stands 15 feet from the street, far closer than the 50 feet the zoning rules now require, so any change to the steps needed the board's approval. The new stairs would run about 6.7 feet deep, roughly 28 inches more than the current 4.4 feet. A neighbor spoke in favor, no one spoke against, and the town's zoning enforcement officer told the board he was comfortable with the request.
The minutes also record that Chairman David Crow decided against handing applicants a sheet that defines a hardship, saying it is for the applicant or a lawyer to prove one.
Town Plan and Zoning Commission
The commission's Tuesday, Oct. 6, meeting was cancelled. Its next regular meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Other town boards
Three more boards were scheduled to meet this week and had not posted minutes by Friday, Oct. 9:
The Conservation Commission, Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at the High Plains Community Center. Its agenda listed a winter seed-sowing program, work days with Scouts on the Wepawaug Trail and at Turkey Hill Preserve, an owl prowl, trail kiosks, an arboretum sign and the election of officers.
The Orange Government Access Television Committee, Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 617 Orange Center Road. On its agenda: a CAC grant, the coordinator's budget and equipment report, televising Amity school board meetings, a PURA annual report and a third reading of the committee's vision statement.
The Community Services Commission, Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the senior lounge at the High Plains Community Center, for reports from its director and from the senior services, youth services and transportation coordinators. It next meets Thursday, Nov. 12.
Amity Regional Board of Education
The regional school board was scheduled to meet Monday, Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at 25 Newton Road in Woodbridge. The agenda listed the monthly financial statements, possible action on budget transfers over $3,000, a second reading of a policy on electronic resources and generative artificial intelligence, first readings of policies on passive alcohol sensor testing and on search and seizure, and the monthly technology and facilities reports. Minutes had not been posted by Friday.
