Planning & Zoning Commission (linked)

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 
 
 
MEMORANDUM 
 
TO:  
 
Planning and Zoning Commission 
 
FROM:  
Mark Wujtewicz, Planner 
 
DATE:  
March 11, 2025 
 
TITLE:  
Staff Report:  Oswegatchie Fire Station 
 
 
 
 
439 & 441 Boston Post Road 
 
 
 
Site Plan 
Application PL-25-3 
 
 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The project as proposed is to construct an approximate 10,160 square foot footprint fire station 
building located at 439 & 441 Boston Post Road. The parcels are located within the 
Neighborhood Business and Professional Office (NBPO) Zone District with a combined area of 
approximately 2 acres. The parcels are also located within the Connecticut Coastal Area 
Management (CAM) boundary. The existing firehouse is approximately 12,000 square feet and 
located on the 439 Boston Post Road parcel while the associated parking lot is located on the 441 
Boston Post Road parcel. In addition to the construction of the new fire station building, other 
site improvements include new concrete sidewalks and paved parking areas, stormwater quality 
elements and utilities. The proposed building will be served by the existing municipal water and 
sewer system. 
The existing firehouse facility will remain in operation while the new building is being 
constructed. The plan identifies temporary procedures and phasing of work that will be 
implemented during the construction and demolition that will separate the activities in order to 
maintain the ongoing operation of services conducted on the site. Once the new building is 
constructed and associated site improvements are completed, the existing facility building will be 
demolished and any remaining site improvements in the area of the demolished building will be 
completed.   
Prior Planning and Zoning Commission approvals granted for this project site include two 
Connecticut General Statute (CGS) 8-24 approvals. PL-24-3 was approved by the Commission 
on January 23, 2024 for the purchase of the two parcels. On January 14, 2025, CGS 8-24 
application PL-25-1 was approved by the Commission for the improvements to the property, 
which is the subject of this site plan application.  
FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD 
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886 

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The application has been reviewed and approved by the Waterford Conservation Commission 
through the issuance of Inland Wetland Permit #C-25-02. A copy of the Conservation 
Commission Action has been submitted into the record.  
 
 
BACKGROUND 
 
Pertinent Regulations 
CGS 8-3(g) 
Section 7A – Neighborhood Business and Professional Office (NBPO)  
Section 7A.2.3 – Municipal office and facilities 
 
 
Section 22 – Site Plans 
Section 22b – Design Review of Site and Building Requirements 
Section 25.4 – Coastal Area Management 
 
This application was received by the Commission on February 11, 2025. 
Action on this application must be no later than April 16, 2025. 
 
 
DISCUSSION 
In order for the Commission to approve a site plan it must find that the plan is consistent with 
the Town of Waterford Zoning Regulations. The Commission must act on the plan initially 
submitted for review and can find that the site plan is either compliant with the Zoning 
Regulations or it may approve the plan with modifications that are required to be implemented 
prior to filing on the land records.  
A portion of the project is located within the Connecticut Coastal Area Management (CAM) 
boundary, therefore an application for a Coastal Area Management Site Plan Permit was 
submitted into the record. Coastal resources identified were shorelands and inland freshwater 
wetlands. The plan was found to be consistent with Coastal Resource policies and any potential 
temporary adverse impacts during construction of the project is mitigated through the 
implementation of appropriate erosion and sedimentation control measures in accordance with 
the CT Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control. The proposed stormwater 
management design includes onsite infiltration promoting groundwater recharge and reducing 
peak flows. 
Activity associated with the construction of the proposed facility will impact approximately 
20,000 square feet of area within the upland review area of two wetlands identified on the plan as 
Wetland #1 and Wetland #2. As a result, an application for Inland Wetland Permit #C-25-02 was 
submitted to the Waterford Conservation Commission. Inland Wetland Permit #C-25-02 was 
approved with conditions by the Conservation Commission to conduct authorized regulated 
activities associated with the construction of the new fire station, associated paved area and 
stormwater treatment. In accordance with CGS §8-3(g) a report of the Conservation Commission 
action was submitted into the record. 
The applicant submitted a Stormwater Management Report into the record. The report noted 
that the existing conditions on the site include approximately 52,200 square feet of impervious 

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cover, while the proposed improvements will provide for a net reduction in impervious area by 
approximately 20,700 square feet. The report indicates that the design of the Stormwater 
Management System is in conformance with the 2024 CTDEEP Stormwater Quality Manual, the 
2000 CTDOT Drainage Manual and that the system as proposed will effectively manage the 
quality and quantity of stormwater runoff.   
 
 
RECOMMENDED ACTION 
 
Based on the information provided, staff recommends the Planning and Zoning Commission find 
that:  
 
Findings: 
1.  
The application is for a use subject to a Site Plan approval, pursuant to Section 7A.2.3 
of the Waterford Zoning Regulations. 
2.  
The application meets the criteria for a modified site plan approval, pursuant to 
Section 22 of the Waterford Zoning Regulations, subject to modifications listed. 
3. 
The Waterford Conservation Commission issued Inland Wetland Permit# C-25-02 for 
regulated inland wetland activities. 
4. 
The Waterford Conservation Commission issued a report of its action on application 
#C-25-02 in accordance with CGS §8.3(g). 
5. 
The project as approved with conditions is consistent with all applicable coastal 
policies and includes all reasonable measures to mitigate adverse impacts. 
6.  
This application has been reviewed by the Town of Waterford Design Review Board 
in accordance with Section 22b of the Waterford Zoning Regulations and which 
Board submits a positive report to the Planning and Zoning Commission. 
 
and that the Commission approve the proposal with the following modifications and conditions:  
 
1. 
As a result of the site improvements extending onto both parcels, the two parcels 
known as 439 and 441 Boston Post Road shall be merged into one parcel. This shall 
be completed prior to filing the plans on the land records.  
2.  
Construction phasing and the implementation of measures to separate the continuing 
operation of services from the construction activities shall be strictly adhered to as 
identified on the plan. 
3. 
All conditions of approval for Inland Wetland Permit #C-25-02 shall be incorporated 
into this decision as if fully set forth herein. 
 
 
Proposed Motion 
To approve with modifications and conditions, the Site Plan for the new Oswegatchie Fire 
House Facility application #PL-25-3 located at 439 & 441 Boston Post Road, with 
modifications and conditions 1 and 3 and to adopt the findings 1 thru 6 of the staff report.