Don’t like what the Planning and Zoning Board did? Appeal it!
Zoning Board of Appeals is a Commission that has the power to grant variances of the Zoning Regulations when hardship is demonstrated due to topography, irregular shape of lots and any other physical condition where the application of zoning regulations would create exceptional hardship and deprive the owner of the property reasonable use of the land or building involved.
The Zoning Board of Appeals also has the power to correct a decision of a Zoning Enforcement Officer when the board feels the Zoning Officer has made an error.
The board meets the first Wednesday of each month and applications must be filed 21 days prior to that date. Zoning Board of Appeals is an elected board and consists of five (5) regular members and three (3) alternates. Meetings are held at the Newtown Municipal Center at 7:30 P.M. on the first Wednesday of every month.
From the Town Charter:
2-100 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
(a) There shall be a Zoning Board of Appeals which shall have all the powers and duties conferred and imposed by the General Statutes upon zoning boards of appeals.
(b) The Board shall consist of 5 members whose terms shall be 4 years, none of whom shall be a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and not more than 4 of whom shall be from the same political party, with the number to be elected in each regular Town election to be determined by the number of members whose terms expire on or before the December 1st after the election.
(c) There shall be 3 alternate members of the Board who shall be elected at each regular Town Election for terms of 2 years, not more than 2 of whom shall be from the same political party. Such alternates shall have the powers and duties conferred and imposed on alternates by the General Statutes, the provisions of this Charter and the regulations of the Board.
(d) All of the regulations and acts of the Board prior to the effective date of this Charter shall continue in full force and effect until modified, repealed or superseded by the Board according to law.