Beacon Falls P&Z approves reduced excavation setback for Lancaster Drive site

The Town of Beacon Falls Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously July 16 to approve an excavation and grading permit that reduces the setback from 100 feet to 50 feet adjacent to a residential district for the site covering 9 Haviland Drive and 48, 54 and 60 Lancaster Drive.

Chris Pawlowski, P.E., of C&K Engineering, told the commission the proposed industrial building pad "would be constructed at a significantly lower elevation than the neighboring residences" and that the existing wooded berm and natural topography would remain to screen future development. He said the proposed building location "would be approximately 100 feet from the residential property line" and that any future building would require a separate Planning & Zoning application and review.

Commission members and members of the public raised questions about blasting operations and oversight. Pawlowski described anticipated blasting methods, including pre-splitting rock faces to create a stable excavation face, and said the project would comply with Connecticut State blasting regulations. The commission discussed availability of pre-blast inspections and seismograph monitoring for nearby residences; concerns about possible effects on radon were noted but the commission said radon was outside its regulatory expertise.

A motion to approve the PZC-05212026 excavation, grading and special-exception application, including the setback reduction to 50 feet and conformance with referenced plans and listed conditions, was made by Commissioner Marc Bronn, seconded by Commissioner William Fredericks, and passed 6–0–0. Commissioners noted that the approval applied only to site preparation activities; any future industrial building or parking between the building and residential properties would require separate review and approvals.