Planning & Zoning Commission (linked)

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 
 
 
MEMORANDUM 
 
DATE: 
June 13, 2023 
 
TO: 
 
Planning and Zoning Commission 
 
FROM: 
Mark Wujtewicz, Planner 
 
RE: 
 
Proposed Customary Home Occupation regulation amendment 
 
 
Section 1- Definitions, Hairdressing 
Section 3.11.11 – Customary Home Occupation Off-Street Parking  
 
 
Application PL-23-6 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
This application has been submitted pursuant to Section 28.2 of the Waterford Zoning 
Regulations to amend the following sections of the Zoning Regulations: 
Section 1- Definitions to add “Hairdressing” as a listed Home Occupation Use with not more than 
1 chair and no more than 2 clients on the premises at any one time. 
Section 3.11.11 – Off Street Parking requirements for Customary Home Occupations to specify 
that a Hairdressing Home Occupation Use shall not exceed two (2) parking 
spaces for customers.  
This application was received by the Commission on April 25, 2023 
The application was posted in the Office of the Waterford Town Clerk on May 10, 2023 
The Public Hearing was advertised in The Day on May 30 and June 6, 2023 
The date of Public Hearing was June 13, 2023 
 
BACKGROUND 
 
Pertinent Regulations 
Connecticut General Statutes 
CGS 8-3(a) 
Waterford Zoning Regulations 
Section 1 – Definitions – Home Occupations, Customary 
Section 3.11.11 - Off-Street Parking for Customary Home Occupations  
Section 28 – Amendments 
 
FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD 
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886 

In accordance with Section 28 of the Zoning Regulations, the above referenced 
application for amendments to the Zoning Regulations has been submitted for the 
Commission’s consideration. Currently, Section 1 of the Zoning Regulations lists those 
uses that the Town of Waterford consider Home Occupations. The applicant is proposing 
to add Hairdressing to the list of permitted Customary Home Occupations with a 
limitation of not more than 1 chair and not more than 2 clients on the premises at any one 
time. 
 
Section 3.11 of the Zoning Regulations establishes the standards and criteria that 
must be demonstrated as part of the zoning review procedure prior to the issuance of a 
Zoning Compliance Permit for any of the Customary Home Occupations listed in Section 
1. The application as presented also proposes a modification to the language contained in 
Section 3.11.11 of the Zoning Regulations. Currently, Section 3.11.11 states:  
“Off-street parking in accordance with the requirements of Sections 20.2, 
20.3, 20.4, and 20.5 of these regulations must be provided and its location 
and design must not change the characteristics of the neighborhood.” 
The applicant’s proposal adds language to this section of the regulations, which 
establishes off-street parking requirements in order to specifically address the number of 
parking spaces that support the proposed hairdressing use. The number of parking spaces 
to support a particular use is, in most instances, determined by a ratio of the gross floor 
area dedicated to the use and an established base number factor. For example, the number 
of parking spaces that are required to support a personal service establishment, of which 
hairdressing qualifies, is 1 space for every 175 square feet of gross floor area devoted to 
the use (25.3d). This standard would apply to a commercial location. In an attempt to 
maintain the residential character of the property with a home occupation, the applicant 
proposes limiting the maximum number of parking spaces dedicated to the use to 2 
regardless of the amount of gross floor area that can be devoted to the use in accordance 
with Zoning Regulations Section 3.11.8. The restriction on the maximum number of 
parking spaces for the use also supports the limitation on the number of clients allowed at 
any one time on the premises as stated in the proposed definition language. 
 
As required, the applicant has provided a narrative (Exhibit 6) identifying the 
proposed regulations consistency with the stated elements contained within Waterford’s 
2012 Plan of Preservation, Conservation and Development (Plan). In order for the 
Commission to approve an amendment to the Zoning Regulations, it must find that the 
applicant has adequately demonstrated to the Commission’s satisfaction that the proposed 
amendments are consistent with the Plan. 
 
Should the Commission take action in approving the regulation amendments it may 
consider the following findings including that of consistency with the 2012 POCD: 
 
 
 
 
 
 

RECOMMENDED ACTION 
 
Findings: 
 
1. 
Application PL-23-6 meets the requirements of Section 28 of the Waterford 
Zoning Regulations. 
2.  
Application PL-23-6 meets the requirements of Connecticut General Statutes 
Chapter 124 §8-3 governing changes of zoning regulations and districts. 
3. 
The proposed Regulation Amendment is consistent with the 2012 Plan of 
Preservation Conservation and Development in meeting the stated goals of the 
Business/Economic Development Guide in that the modifications to the 
regulations as proposed will help to promote business and economic development 
in order to meet local needs. 
4.  
The proposed Regulation Amendment is consistent with the Policy Element of 
Supporting Home-Based Businesses as identified in the Business/Economic 
Development Guide in 2012 Plan of Preservation Conservation and Development. 
5. 
The proposed Regulation Amendment is consistent with the Policy Element in 
considering allowing small-scale neighborhood businesses where appropriate as 
identified in the Business/Economic Development Guide in 2012 Plan of 
Preservation Conservation and Development. 
 
 
 
 
 

January 1, 2012 
 
52 
 
C. Increase Opportunities For Mixed Use And Village-Style Development 
 
There is growing interest in Connecticut and elsewhere in creating opportunities for “smarter growth.”  
In general, this philosophy embraces the following principles: 
 
Conservation  
Concepts 
 
Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas 
Development  
Concepts 
 
Strengthen and direct development towards existing developed areas 
 
Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place 
 
Mix land uses 
 
Create a range of housing opportunities and choices 
 
Take advantage of compact building design 
Infrastructure  
Concepts 
 
Provide a variety of transportation choices 
 
Create walkable neighborhoods 
Process Concepts 
 
Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions 
 
Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective 
 
Since these principles can help support community structure and community character, opportunities to 
implement them should be considered, where appropriate.  As has been a basic growth principle in Wa-
terford for some time, such developments should only be located where consistent with the recommenda-
tions of this Plan and where infrastructure with adequate capacity exists to support it. 
 
Promoting “smarter growth” could include creating new mixed-use “village-type areas” in locations 
supported by transit and utility infrastructure where there will be a strong focus on integrating the de-
velopment within the overall structure of the community and the neighborhood, creating a pedestrian-
friendly environment and a strong sense of place. 
 
The term “mixed-use” refers to development devoted to more than one use or purpose on the same prop-
erty or in the same area.  Much development over the past several decades has been single-use on one 
property and use areas were required to be separated.  For the purposes of the Plan, the term “mixed-
use” generally means residential uses in combination with commercial, industrial, office, institutional, or 
other land uses. 
 
D. Consider Allowing Small-Scale Neighborhood Businesses Where Appropriate 
 
One way to begin supporting mixed use “village-type” areas might be to allow small-scale business uses 
(such as a small neighborhood “general store”) in areas of concentrated development provided that: 
 
the use is only allowed as a special permit to ensure that it is controlled and is compatible 
with the village character,  
 
the site is appropriately located (such as on a major street), and 
 
strict floor area limitations and design guidelines are utilized in order to ensure that the pro-
posed use is integrated into the existing neighborhood. 
 
 
See the “Implementation Element” of the Waterford Plan of Preservation, Conserva-
tion and Development for information on tasks and actions currently programmed for 
implementation of these Overall Structure strategies.  
 
 

January 1, 2012 
 
63 
 
F. Support Appropriate Home-Based Businesses  
 
Due to technological and other improvements, more and more people are working from home.  Water-
ford should maintain regulations to allow and manage home-based businesses (professional uses, busi-
ness services, personal services, and contractors).  Waterford can be an “incubator” for such businesses so 
that, as they grow and prosper, they can move from residential neighborhoods to business areas. 
 
Special efforts should continue to: 
 managing the activities of home-based contractors, 
 limiting the parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas, and 
 mitigating negative effects of home-based businesses. 
 
Home Office 
 
Home-Based Professional 
 
 
Home-Based Service 
 
Home-Based Contractor 
 
 
 
 
See the “Implementation Element” of the Waterford Plan of Preservation, Conserva-
tion and Development for information on tasks and actions currently programmed for 
implementation of these Business Development strategies.  
 
 
 

January 1, 2012 
 
48 
 
 
GUIDE 
 
 
Overall Structure  
 
GOAL
 
 
 
Strive to maintain a community comprised of identifiable villages, 
neighborhoods, and locations with a strong “sense of place.”   
 
 
 
The overall physical organization of Waterford (the structure of the community) is an important compo-
nent of the Plan.  Studies have found that the overall structure of a community and the amount of defini-
tion of areas within it are both strongly correlated with community character and community image.  
People identify strongly with communities that have a discernable structure and often identify these 
communities as having “character” and a “sense of place”.   
 
The following features affect the perception of community structure and community character: 
 
 
Features Which Tend To Enhance Character 
Focal Points 
Identifiable focal points or places with distinctive characteristics 
Landmarks 
Distinctive places or destinations 
Clusters  
Neighborhoods or areas identifiable by use, location, character, or style 
Greenspaces 
Open spaces, greenways, trails, streambelts or other natural elements  
Gateways 
Places providing a special sense of entry or arrival to an area 
 
Features Which Can Enhance Or Erode Character 
Roads  
Roads to and through the community can enhance or detract  
 
Features Which Can Erode Character 
Strip Development 
Areas with linear development patterns, especially commercial 
Sprawl Development 
Areas with repetitive development patterns, especially residential 
 
At the present time, the defining elements of Waterford’s community structure may be: 
• 
the Civic Triangle area which acts as a community focal point, 
• 
the areas of concentrated development in Quaker Hill, Mago Point, Pleasure Beach, Ridge-
wood Park, Jordan Village, Oswegatchie, and Cohanzie,  
• 
greenspaces (open space or low-intensity areas), and 
• 
major business areas such as Crystal Mall, Business Triangle, Millstone Point, and Route 1 at 
Clark Lane.