Essex Planning and Zoning Commission Discussing Horses

ESSEX, CT — The third item on the agenda for the Tuesday, August 3 Essex Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is a Public Hearing about, "PZC Application 21-6 Text Amendment to Section 60A.3(E) of the Zoning Regulations to allow the keeping of horses in a Village Residence (VR) District with minimum 3 (three) acre land size and maximum number of horses restrictions. Agent: Thomas Metcalf, P.E. L.S.; Applicant: Mary Cunliffe Lewis and Ian Carr Lewis (Received July 6, 2021)."

The Lewis's, who live at 2 Main Street, in Ivoryton have a property with 10.29 acres, which has, "an historical farm use associated with it," according to an e-mail regarding proposed text amendment of the Essex Zoning Regulations Amendment of Section 60 A. 3E. Livestock. sent to Chairman of the Essex PZC, Russell Smith from Tom Metcalf.

The current zoning regulations, in short, state that the three Village Residence Districts (Ivoryton, Centerbrook and Essex) are not permitted to keep livestock, poultry, or other animals except as household pets.

Metcalf's proposed text amendment letter outlined his intent to purchase a lot of approximately 3 acres from the Lewis family to build a dwelling and keep his and his wife's horse on.

Metcalf sited information from Stable Management Magazine which quotes Mike Yoder, Extension Assitant and Professor Specialist Extension Horse Husbandry at North Carolina State University as saying, "I normally recommend two acres for the 1st horse and one additional acre for each additional horse."

The PZC meeting will be held at 7 p.m. For more information go to https://www.essexct.gov/.