Clinton ZBA Defers Three Rulings to June

Planning and Zoning · Meeting of May 21, 2026

CLINTON — The Clinton Zoning Board of Appeals closed hearings on two contested variance cases and an enforcement appeal but deferred all decisions to June 17. The board unanimously accepted a new after-the-fact variance request for 3 West Road, seeking 35.2 percent ground coverage where 32.4 percent was previously granted. On 82 High Street, engineer Joe Ren said a paved driveway pushed Gilead Community Services' group home to 21.2 percent lot coverage, about 2,300 square feet over the 15 percent limit, after a fire forced a rebuild; Chris Tennis of Gilead said "the purpose of Gilead is to be the support net to keep people from becoming homeless." Attorney Doug Dubitzky, representing Robert and Briana Godsy, argued their April 2 cease-and-desist order cited the wrong zoning section and relied on mis-dated photographs, saying disputed images "were actually taken on February 19th, two weeks before the cease and desist order was issued." Members split 3-2 against holding a special meeting before continuing the Godsy appeal to June 17.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 826 words

Source: the Planning and Zoning meeting of May 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

CLINTON — May 21, 2026 — The Clinton Zoning Board of Appeals closed public hearings on a disputed group-home driveway variance and a contested land-use enforcement appeal Thursday night but put off final votes on both, along with a third variance case, until its June 17 meeting.

The board also voted unanimously to receive a new after-the-fact variance application for 3 West Road and schedule it for a public hearing next month. No application was approved or denied outright at Thursday's meeting; all three contested matters were continued for further deliberation.

The Full Story

Board Chair Lori Jaffy opened new business by accepting application ZBA-26-5 for 3 West Road, filed by applicant David Smalley on behalf of owner Paul O'Donnell. The application seeks after-the-fact variances tied to a renovation delayed five years by federal flood-elevation requirements. According to the motion read into the record, the request would permit 35.2 percent ground coverage where 32.4 percent was previously granted, and a 5 1/2-foot north side setback where 10 feet is required. The board voted unanimously to receive the application and schedule a public hearing for June 17, 2026.

Jaffy then recused herself from the next case, an application by owner Lori Seager for 5 Short Grove Road, because she is an abutter to the property. Secretary Tom Scholes assumed the chairmanship for that hearing. Seager testified that her home's garage extends about 18 inches into a required setback and that a shed sits roughly four feet from a side property line where five feet is required. A neighboring property owner submitted a letter supporting the request. After closing the hearing, the board voted unanimously to continue its deliberations to June 17 and asked staff to draft proposed motion language.

"The structure extends approximately 18 inches into the required setback and is limited to the garage portion," [Lori Seager, applicant and property owner].

The board then heard from engineer Joe Ren and Chris Tennis of Gilead Community Services on application ZBA-26-3 for 82 High Street, where a rebuilt three-family home for people with mental health needs exceeded the zone's 15 percent lot-coverage limit after its driveway was paved instead of left as crushed stone. Ren said the paved area pushed coverage to 21.2 percent, about 2,300 square feet over the limit, while the rebuilt structure eliminated a prior setback violation. Resident Jeff Cashman spoke in favor, citing winter paving practices. The board voted unanimously to close the hearing and continue deliberations to June 17.

"The purpose of Gilead is to be the support net to keep people from becoming homeless," [Chris Tennis, Gilead Community Services].

The longest and most contentious matter was an appeal of an April 2, 2026, cease-and-desist order issued to property owners Robert and Briana Godsy for 32 Old Nod Road. Zoning Enforcement Officer Savona told the board she had documented clear-cutting, grading and stockpiled logs within 50 feet of the property's front line without a special-exception permit. Attorney Doug Dubitzky, representing the Godsys, argued the order cited the wrong zoning section for the property's industrial-zoned portion and that less than 100 cubic yards of material was moved, which he said exempts the work from permitting requirements. He also challenged the dating of photographs submitted by the zoning officer.

"These April 6th photos were actually taken on February 19th, two weeks before the cease and desist order was issued," [Doug Dubitzky, attorney for the Godsys].

Board members split 3-2 on whether to hold a special meeting sooner, with a majority preferring to wait for the June 17 regular session. The board then voted unanimously to continue the public hearing on the appeal to that date.

Why It Matters

Three separate Clinton property matters now hinge on the board's June 17 session: a residential setback dispute on Short Grove Road, a supportive-housing nonprofit's driveway coverage on High Street, and a disputed excavation enforcement order on Old Nod Road. Gilead Community Services, which houses people with mental health needs after a fire destroyed its prior building, cannot finalize stormwater compliance work until the variance is decided. The Godsys remain barred from further excavation, grading or wood-cutting activity on their Old Nod Road property under the contested order until the appeal is resolved.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Receive application ZBA-26-5 for 3 West Road and schedule public hearing for June 17, 2026 Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Close public hearing on ZBA-26-2, 5 Short Grove Road variance application Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Continue deliberations on ZBA-26-2 to June 17, 2026, with staff to draft proposed motion Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Close public hearing on ZBA-26-3, 82 High Street ground-coverage variance Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Continue deliberations on ZBA-26-3 to June 17, 2026 Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Continue public hearing on ZBA-26-4, 32 Old Nod Road cease-and-desist appeal, to June 17, 2026 Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Clinton CT Planning: Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, May 21, 2026