Will There Be Horses Allowed On Main Street In Ivoryton?

ESSEX, CT — At the September 7th, Essex Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, civil engineer Tom Metcalf, returned for the continued Public Hearing portion of the meeting to further discuss the possibility of horses being allowed on Mary and Ian Lewis's property, located at 2 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Metcalf originally filed the request to the town to amend a section of the Zoning Regulations,("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)".

Metcalf explained at the August 3rd meeting that his intent was to purchase approximately three acres from the Lewis's, to build a dwelling and keep two horses.

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 the proposed text amendment sent to the Chairman of the Essex PZC, Russell Smith from Metcalf.

Metcalf once again presented on behalf of the applicants at the September 7th Commission meeting and he addressed concerns brought up at the August meeting.

He worked with Carey Duques to rewrite the proposal, which now includes a minimum acreage of four acres, instead of the three the proposal previously stated.

In addition, Metcalf's new proposal included wordage that increased the setbacks for agricultural buildings and required submission of a zoning permit to provide a formal record of use and to create some review accountability.

The revised proposal was discussed at length by the Commission members and Metcalf, (who brought along a petition signed by 86 town members in support of the proposal). Ultimately, a motion was made to once again continue the public hearing on the matter to the October 5th Planning and Zoning Commission meeting which will be held at 7 p.m.

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