Newtown Planning & Zoning Advances Ferris Farm Store

NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission on June 19 approved a proposal from Ferris Acres Farm to convert a historic milk house into a country farm store and took under consideration updates to local zoning regulations concerning farmers markets and senior housing.

The Commission unanimously approved the amendment to a special exception sought by Michelle and Brendan Ferris, allowing the transformation of the structure at 144 Sugar Street.

Brendan Ferris told the Commission he would address safety concerns by repairing a stone wall gap along Route 302 during construction. The Commission noted that with 38 spaces available, the project meets the zoning parking requirements.

In other business, the Commission continued two public hearings related to a senior housing proposal from GRC Construction LLC. The applications, which seek to create a new Senior Living Residential District at120 Glen Road, would amend zoning regulations to increase unit density, lower minimum acreage requirements, and remove the need for sewer connections. Those applications will resume at the next meeting on July 3.

Commissioners also heard testimony on a text amendment application by Andrea Saunders that aims to update the town’s definition of a farmers market. Sue Shortt of Shortt’s Farm in Sandy Hook and resident Ian Appleby spoke in favor of revising the decades-old regulations to allow for more flexibility, including music, local vendors, and seasonal diversity.

Planning Director Rob Sibley said Newtown’s current regulations date back 20 years and are in need of modernization. Discussions included clarifying the term “seasonal,” eliminating outdated language, and considering how regulations would apply to both indoor and outdoor markets at Fairfield Hills.

The Commission closed the public hearing on the proposed farmers market text amendment but tabled any decision to its July 3 meeting to allow time for further review of the language.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. following the approval of amended minutes from the June 5 session.