Harwinton ZBA delays decision on 61.2-foot rear-yard variance for Hill Road deck

Chairman Thomas Rotondo presided over a public hearing July 15 on an application by Stephen Graboski seeking a 61.2-foot rear-yard variance from Section 5 of the town zoning regulations to build a 12-foot by 14-foot deck at 727 Hill Road.

Graboski told the board the original house on the property burned down several years ago; he rebuilt on the same footprint, which makes the house a legal nonconforming structure under the current zoning regulations. Plans prepared by Denno Land Surveying & Consulting, LLC, dated April 28, 2026, were reviewed during the hearing. Graboski said a shed that straddles his property line with a neighbor will be removed as part of the work.

Alternate Member Lynne Steincamp asked whether the deck could be located on the side of the house. Chairman Rotondo said any structure attached to the dwelling would still fall outside the allowed building envelope and therefore would require a variance.

Neighbor Beau Green of 753 Hill Road examined the site plans at the table and told the board he had no objection to the proposed deck.

The board closed the public hearing at 7:15 p.m.; the motion to close was made by Alternate Member Pamela Root, seconded by Lynne Steincamp, and carried unanimously. The board took no final vote on the variance request and agreed to take up the application at its August 19, 2026 meeting when a voting quorum is expected.

The variance request cites Section 5 of the Harwinton zoning regulations dated July 1, 2025. The Zoning Board of Appeals did not make a determination on the variance on July 15.