East Lyme approves replacement dock at Old Black Point Road, 6–0

The East Lyme Zoning Commission voted 6–0 on June 18 to approve a special permit allowing the removal and replacement of a dock at a small upland parcel opposite 100R Old Black Point Road.

Zoning staff had reviewed the application and noted that the property lies in a tidal-marsh zoning district but that the commission’s jurisdiction covers upland areas above the coastal jurisdiction line. William Mulholland, the town’s zoning official, said the applicant had removed a previously proposed line of boulders after CT DEEP review and flagged that any regrading or fill must be carefully considered because the dredge/shoreline regulations are intended to protect marsh areas.

Applicant Peter Rifflin told the commission the state (DEEP) and Army Corps had already approved the dock and that the local permit sought covers the portion that connects to upland above the jurisdiction line. Rifflin said post-and-trench work for a short water-line and small posts (6x6 posts as an emergency car stop) would require only limited digging and that he did not intend to bring additional fill to alter site elevations.

The commission recorded a 6–0 vote to approve the application after confirming that the plans in the record and testimony would be part of any approval conditions.

What’s next: The meeting minutes show the permit was approved and staff will publish the decision in accordance with notice requirements.