Highlights From Jan. 6, 8 Ridgefield Board Of Selectpersons' Meetings

**News Release Submitted by Town of Ridgefield**

Jan. 10, 2025

At a special Board of Selectperson (BOS) meeting on Monday, the Board voted to make a recommendation to the Board of Finance (BOF) to bond three proposed projects, a new Public Safety Building at 36 Old Quarry Road, a new Alternative High School/Transition building at 34 Halpin Lane, and roof replacements on select Ridgefield Public Schools, with a potential referendum date of February 25, 2025. Stay tuned for details on the referendum.

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The Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) public hearing for the proposed Regulation Amendment regarding a Temporary and Limited Development Moratorium (File A-24-3) was postponed at Tuesday night’s meeting. A moratorium is a temporary prohibition of an activity; in this case, it refers to certain types of building applications.

After an individual was unable to obtain a hard copy of the proposed moratorium from the Town Clerk’s Office, the PZC agreed that the public hearing, which was on the agenda for January 7th, should be rescheduled in order to be in full compliance with Connecticut General Statute Chapter 124, section 8-3(a). This statute requires that the proposed documents pertaining to a public hearing be on file at the Town Clerk’s Office for public access at least ten days prior to the public hearing.

It is important to understand that decisions made by the PZC can be challenged legally if the process through which those decisions are made violates State Statute. In an apology during Tuesday’s meeting, PZC Chair Rob Hendrick assured the public that the Commission does want to hear from them, but emphasized the importance of proceeding in the correct way.

The Public Hearing is now scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st at 7:00 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School. There will be a zoom link available for those who cannot attend in person. Zoom attendees will be able to comment during the Public Hearing. All are encouraged to attend!

Watch Tuesday’s PZC meeting here.
View the Temporary and Limited Development Moratorium (File A-24-3).

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On Wednesday, the BOS met for their first regularly scheduled meeting of the year. Here are the highlights.

• Congratulations to Bruce J. Walker on his appointment to the Pension Commission, to Glori Norwitt and Jennifer Gioffre on their reappointments to the Economic and Development Commission (ECDC), and to Karen Gaudian on her reappointment as the Municipal Agent to the Elderly. The Town thanks you for volunteering your time!
• The BOS voted 5-0 to approve the Golf Committee’s proposed updated charge, which identifies the Committee’s mission and responsibilities. You can read the new charge on the Golf Committee page of the Town website.
• The proposed PZC Temporary and Limited Development Moratorium has been a topic of discussion around town. What many may not understand is that approving the moratorium will not prevent 8-30g applications from moving forward. 8-30g is a state statute, which cannot be overruled by municipal regulation. According to an issue brief on cga.ct.gov, the grounds to deny an 8-30g application are extremely narrow, including only reasons due to the health and safety of the public or other matters that undeniably outweigh the need for additional affordable housing, or due to a lack of government funding for the project and the location falling in an industrial zone that does not permit residential uses. Be sure to attend the Public Hearing on January 21st to get a full understanding of what this moratorium could mean for Ridgefield.

Want to know more?
Watch the full BOS meeting here.