Commission tables Sniffins Lane marina after DEEP enforcement and FEMA elevation issues flagged
February 29, 2024 | Town of Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut
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The Zoning Commission tabled a special-case application from the Landing Strip LLC for a marine service/shipyard at 500 Sniffins Lane after state environmental agency (DEEP) and FEMA-related complications emerged.
Attorney Barry Knott described plans for a 6,000-square-foot marine service building and presented ARB approval and site renderings. Town staff reported DEEP had flagged ongoing enforcement issues at the site related to noncompliant dock structures and underground fuel storage tanks dating back to 2013; DEEP recommended the owner resolve those enforcement matters and obtain required authorizations before additional work can proceed. Knott told commissioners his client had engaged a tank-removal contractor and was prepared to address the concerns but asked to keep the public hearing open while those items are resolved.
The commission and an adjacent property owner debated flood-elevation impacts: staff cited the site elevation as 12 (versus an indicated FEMA target of 14) and noted that the use could be considered a functionally dependent use under FEMA rules, meaning a variance process and zoning-board-of-appeals action would be required. Applicant engineer Jim Rotondo described stormwater controls (quality basins and a swale along the western property line) and said site grading is not expected to direct runoff to the neighboring property.
Commissioners voted to table the application and keep the public portion open pending DEEP enforcement resolution and any necessary FEMA/variance outcomes. No substantive approval was granted.
Attorney Barry Knott described plans for a 6,000-square-foot marine service building and presented ARB approval and site renderings. Town staff reported DEEP had flagged ongoing enforcement issues at the site related to noncompliant dock structures and underground fuel storage tanks dating back to 2013; DEEP recommended the owner resolve those enforcement matters and obtain required authorizations before additional work can proceed. Knott told commissioners his client had engaged a tank-removal contractor and was prepared to address the concerns but asked to keep the public hearing open while those items are resolved.
The commission and an adjacent property owner debated flood-elevation impacts: staff cited the site elevation as 12 (versus an indicated FEMA target of 14) and noted that the use could be considered a functionally dependent use under FEMA rules, meaning a variance process and zoning-board-of-appeals action would be required. Applicant engineer Jim Rotondo described stormwater controls (quality basins and a swale along the western property line) and said site grading is not expected to direct runoff to the neighboring property.
Commissioners voted to table the application and keep the public portion open pending DEEP enforcement resolution and any necessary FEMA/variance outcomes. No substantive approval was granted.
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