Planning & Zoning Commission (linked)

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD 
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 
 
 
 
MEMORANDUM 
 
TO: 
Planning and Zoning Commission 
FROM: 
Mark Wujtewicz, Planner 
DATE: 
January 14, 2025 
 
TITLE: 
Staff Report: CGS 8-24 
Application PL-25-1 
Construction of New Fire House Facility 
439 & 441 Boston Post Road 
 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Sec 8-24, this application is forwarded to the 
Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the demolition of the existing Oswegatchie Fire 
House and construction of a new firehouse facility on the same property located on 439 & 441 
Boston Post Road. In accordance with the above statute, an action by the Planning and Zoning 
Commission is required in order to determine whether the construction of a new firehouse facility 
would be consistent with stated goals and policies of the 2012 Plan of Conservation and 
Development (POCD). 
The Oswegatchie Fire Station property is located at 439 & 441 Boston Post Road. The property 
is located within the Neighborhood Business Professional Office (NBPO) Zone. Municipal 
Facilities are a permitted use within the district. 
BACKGROUND 
Pertinent Regulations 
CGS §8-24 
Town of Waterford 2012 Plan of Preservation Conservation and Development 
 
 

DISCUSSION 
 
The property is currently owned by the Oswegatchie Fire Company No. 4, Inc. The Town is 
currently under contract with the Oswegatchie Fire Company to purchase the property in order 
to construct a new facility. The Town’s RTM created the Oswegatchie Building Committee to 
pursue the replacement of the existing fire station building. That evaluation determined that the 
Town of Waterford should acquire the properties given the substantial cost for replacement of 
the building.  
On January 23, 2024 the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and approved CGS 8-24 
application #PL-24-3 for the acquisition of 439 & 441 Boston Post Road that the Oswegatchie 
Fire Company owns in order to proceed with the construction of the new facility as 
recommended by the Oswegatchie Building Committee. The acquisition of both parcels would 
allow for the construction of a new Town owned facility. A stated goal of the Community 
Facilities Section of the 2012 POCD is to “Provide adequate services and facilities to meet 
community needs” and to “Monitor and Adapt to Changing Community Facility Needs.”  
A new firehouse facility would be consistent with the stated goal and policies of the Community 
Facilities Section in the 2012 POCD in that it will become a new Town owned facility which 
will enhance the ability for the fire service to meet the current and future needs of the 
community. 
The location of the new firehouse is also identified in the Future Land Use Plan of the 2012 Plan 
of Conservation and Development as an Institutional / Community Facility. 
If the Commission finds that the construction of the new firehouse is consistent with the above 
stated goals of the 2012 Plan of Development, a site plan application will be submitted for the 
Commissions review and approval.  
 
RECOMMENDED ACTION 
 
Based on the information provided in the record, staff recommends the Planning and Zoning 
Commission find that: 
 
Findings: 
1. 
That the proposed construction of the new Oswegatchie Firehouse qualifies for a CGS §8-24 
review by the Planning and Zoning Commission. 
2. 
The construction of the firehouse is consistent with the stated goal in the 2012 Plan of 
Conservation and Development, Community Facilities chapter to “Provide adequate services and 
facilities to meet community needs.” (pg. 66) 
3. 
The improvements to the property and construction of the new firehouse facility is consistent 
with the 2012 Plan of Conservation and Development, Community Facilities chapter Section 
A. Monitor and Adapt to Changing Community Facility Needs. (pg. 67) 
4. 
The construction of the new firehouse is consistent with the major highlight of the 2012 Plan of 
Conservation and Development Future Land Plan in that “Community facilities and institutional 
uses will be encouraged and configured to enhance the overall community.”(Pg. 80) 
5. 
The location of the new facility is consistent with the 2012 Plan of Conservation and Development 
in that the parcel in which the firehouse will be constructed is identified in the Future Land Use 
Plan as an Institutional / Community Facility (Pg. 81) 
 
 
 

Proposed Motion: 
To approve Planning and Zoning CGS 8-24 Application #PL-25-1 for the construction of 
a new firehouse facility located at 439 and 441 Boston Post Road by finding the 
proposal consistent with the Town of Waterford 2012 Plan of Preservation, Conservation 
and Development and to adopt the findings 1 thru 5 of the staff report.


January 1, 2012 
66
SUPPORT 
Community Facilities
GOAL 
Provide adequate services and facilities to meet community needs.   
A Plan of Preservation, Conservation and Development reviews the physical aspects of community ser-
vices (such as education, public works, public safety, social, and recreation) to ensure that they are ap-
propriately located and sized to meet community needs.  These services and facilities contribute to Water-
ford’s character and quality of life.  
Since the 1998 Plan, Waterford has undertaken a school consolidation and modernization program, built 
a community center, and upgraded some buildings and systems to meet community needs. 
In the survey, residents indicated that they were very satisfied with quality and quantity of the following 
Town services: 
Service 
Good And  
Very Good 
Not Sure / 
Don’t Know 
Poor And 
Very Poor 
Fire services 
 93% 
5% 
2% 
Schools 
82% 
12% 
6% 
Park/recreation facilities such as fields 
80% 
8% 
12% 
Park/recreation activities such as classes or programs 
78% 
11% 
11% 
Town Hall 
Community Center 


January 1, 2012 
67
A. Monitor And Adapt To Changing Community Facility Needs  
Overall, people are living longer and healthier lives and the increasing portion of the population in older 
age groups will affect the services communities provide.  Waterford actually preceded this broader trend 
(perhaps due to the fiscal benefits of Millstone) and is in the process of adapting to this new reality.    
Waterford will continue to configure its community services and facilities to meet the needs of the com-
munity of the future rather than for what has been done in the past.  This may include more senior hous-
ing, more social services, different types of transportation, and program activities for older residents.   
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 Community Facility strategies.  
Community Facilities Map 


January 1, 2012 
80
Conclusion
Future Land Use Plan 
As the Plan is implemented, the map on the facing page illustrates the location and intensity of future 
land uses that are desired.  Since this map illustrates the goals, policies, objectives, and recommendations 
of each of the Plan sections when combined together, it is called the Future Land Use Plan for Waterford.   
It is important to state that this is not a fixed vision for Waterford.  Rather it reflects the application of the 
programs and strategies of this Plan as they are currently envisioned.  Over time, this Plan can (and 
should) be changed as circumstances warrant. 
Future Land Use Plan 
The Future Land Use Plan presented on the facing page contains the following categories: 
Nodes 
Existing or desirable community focal points and village-type areas 
Natural Resources 
Areas where natural resource protection is a priority of the Plan 
Open Space  
Areas with existing or desirable open space and greenway trails 
Residential Areas 
Areas used or intended for low, moderate, or higher density residential use 
Business Areas 
Areas used or intended for development of business uses 
Other Areas 
Institutional uses, community facilities, and other uses 
The major highlights of this Future Land Use Plan are as follows: 

Natural resources and coastal resources will be protected.

Efforts will be devoted to creating an open space / greenway trail system throughout Waterford.

Efforts will be devoted to enhancing community character and quality of life.

Enhancing and creating mixed use nodes is a key recommendation in the Plan.

The Plan recommends protecting and enhancing existing residential neighborhoods.

The Plan recommends diversifying Waterford’s housing portfolio and configuring residential de-
velopment patterns to help establish an overall open space / greenway trail system.

Waterford will manage and guide development in business areas to ensure that the development
will contribute to and enhance the overall community.

Community facilities and institutional uses will be encouraged and configured to enhance the
overall community.

Waterford will continue to promote transportation solutions that will help manage traffic on local
streets and provide transportation alternatives for the future.

Waterford will continue to support its desired growth patterns through the provision of appro-
priate utility infrastructure.


Oswegatchie Fire 
House Property