Planning & Zoning Commission (linked)

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 
 
 
MEMORANDUM 
 
TO:  
 
Planning and Zoning Commission 
 
FROM:  
Mark Wujtewicz, Planner 
 
DATE:  
January 23, 2024 
 
TITLE:  
Staff Report: CGS 8-24 
Application PL-24-3 
Property Acquisition 
439 & 441 Boston Post Road 
 
 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Sec 8-24, the above application is forwarded to 
the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the potential acquisition of two parcels with 
addresses of 439 and 441 Boston Post Road. In accordance with the above statute, prior to the 
legislative body of the Town taking action on acquiring this property, an action by the Planning 
and Zoning Commission is required in order to determine whether the acquisition of the property 
would be consistent with stated goals and policies of the 2012 Plan of Conservation and 
Development (POCD). 
The Oswegatchie Fire Station is located on 441 Boston Post Road while the parking lot and 
accessory building is located on 439 Boston Post Road. The parcels are located within the It 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 
 
FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD 
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886 

DISCUSSION 
 
The property is currently owned by the Oswegatchie Fire Company No. 4, Inc. 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.   
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.”  The acquisition of the parcels would be consistent with the stated 
goal and policies of the Community Facilities Section in the 2012 POCD in that it will allow for 
the construction of a new Town owned facility and enhance the ability for the fire service to 
meet the current and future needs of the community.  
The parcels are also identified in the Future Land Use plan of the 2012 Plan of Conservation and 
Development an Institutional / Community Facility.  
If the Commission finds that the acquisition of the parcels is consistent with the above stated 
goals of the 2012 Plan of Development, this action will then be forwarded to the legislative body 
of the Town for further action.   
 
RECOMMENDED ACTION 
 
Based on the information provided in the record, staff recommends the Planning and Zoning 
Commission find that: 
 
Findings: 
1. 
That the proposed acquisition of 439 and 441 Boston Post Road for municipal purposes qualifies 
for a CGS §8-24 review by the Planning and Zoning Commission. 
2. 
The acquisition of these parcels is consistent with the stated goal in the 2012 Plan of Conservation 
and Development, Community Faculties chapter to “Provide adequate services and facilities to 
meet community needs.” (pg. 66) 
3. 
The addition of this parcel is consistent with the 2012 Plan of Conservation and Development, 
Community Faculties chapter Section A. Monitor and Adapt to Changing Community Facility 
Needs. (pg. 67)  
4. 
The acquisition of the parcels is consistent with the major highlight of the 2012 POCD Future Land 
Plan in that “Community facilities and institutional uses will be encouraged and configured to 
enhance the overall community.”(Pg. 80) 
5. 
The acquisition of the parcels is consistent with the 2012 POCD in that the parcels are identified in 
the Future Land Use Plan as an Institutional / Community Facility (Pg. 81) 
 
Proposed Motion: 
To consider and act on a request from the Board of Selectmen to the Planning and Zoning 
Commission for an 8-24 review of the Town’s proposed acquisition of 439 and 441 Boston 
Post Road from the Oswegatchie Fire Company No. 4, Inc. 

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