In dividing the Town of Haddam into zones, it
is to be recognized that there are certain uses which may be necessary
to the Town but which may be detrimental to its neighbors if proper
safeguards are not taken. The Planning and Zoning Commission must
evaluate the impact of such uses upon neighboring uses and surrounding
areas and decide whether or not to grant a special permit for such
uses.
The Planning and Zoning Commission may, upon
application, authorize the issuance of special permits where required
for specific uses and for specific times within these regulations.
In authorizing the issuance of a special permit, the Commission shall
take into consideration the public health, safety and welfare and
shall prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards to ensure the
accomplishment of the following objectives:
A.
That all proposed structures, equipment or material
shall be readily accessible for fire and police protection.
B.
That the proposed use shall be of such location, size,
and character that it will be in harmony with the appropriate and
orderly development of the zone, the neighborhood and the Town and
will not be detrimental to established properties in the area.
In furtherance of this objective, the Commission
may refuse to grant a special permit if it has reasonable cause to
believe:
A.
That
the proximity of the proposed special permit use will have a detrimental
effect upon any church, school, library, public playground or similar
facility or use.
B.
That
the number of similar special permit uses in the vicinity is such
that the granting of a new special permit is detrimental to the public
health, safety and welfare.
The location and size of such use, the nature
and intensity of operations involved in or conducted in connection
therewith, its site layout and its relation to access streets shall
be such that both pedestrian and vehicular traffic to and from and
in the vicinity of the use will not be hazardous or inconvenient to
or detrimental to the character of the zone or conflict with the traffic
characteristics of the neighborhood.
The location and height of buildings, the location,
nature and height of walls and fences, and the nature and extent of
landscaping on the site shall be such that the use will not hinder
or discourage the appropriate development and use of adjacent land
and buildings or impair the value thereof.
A.
All applications for uses requiring the issuance of
a special permit shall be accompanied by a site plan in conformance
with Article XVIII of these regulations.
B.
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall, within 65
days of receipt of a complete application for a special permit, including
all supporting documents, hold a public hearing. Notice of the time
and place of such hearing shall be published in a newspaper having
a substantial circulation in the Town at least twice, at intervals
of not less than two days, the first not more than 15 days, nor less
than 10 days, and the last not less than two days before the date
of such hearing. The Commission shall act on the application not later
than 65 days after such hearing. Whether the Commission grants or
denies a special permit, it shall state upon its records the reason
for its decision. Notice of the decision of the Commission shall be
addressed by certified mail to the applicant in writing within 15
days after such decision has been rendered. Notice of the action of
the Commission shall be published in a newspaper having a substantial
circulation in the Town within 15 days after such action has been
taken.
A special permit granted by the Commission shall
become effective upon the filing of a copy thereof in the Office of
the Town Clerk and in the Land Records of the Town in accordance with
C.G.S. § 8-3d, as amended.
The site of the permit shall be visited not
less than every two years by the Zoning Enforcement Officer to check
for conformity with these regulations and any condition of the permit.
Any special permit is subject to revocation
in accordance with the provisions of Article XXXIII.
