Kuchy v. Planning Zoning Comm'n of Bozrah, No. 51 35 28 (Oct. 21, 1991)

1991 Conn. Super. Ct. 8436
CourtConnecticut Superior Court
DecidedOctober 21, 1991
DocketNo. 51 35 28
StatusUnpublished

This text of 1991 Conn. Super. Ct. 8436 (Kuchy v. Planning Zoning Comm'n of Bozrah, No. 51 35 28 (Oct. 21, 1991)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Connecticut Superior Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Kuchy v. Planning Zoning Comm'n of Bozrah, No. 51 35 28 (Oct. 21, 1991), 1991 Conn. Super. Ct. 8436 (Colo. Ct. App. 1991).

Opinion

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This case is unpublished as indicated by the issuing court.] MEMORANDUM OF DECISION FACTS

This is an appeal from the decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Bozrah ("Commission") approving defendants Lester Gorin ("Gorin") and Theodore Mercik's ("Mercik") application for site plan approval for a commercial development.

The underlying facts are not in dispute. Defendants Gorin and Mercik filed a site plan application (Return of Record, hereinafter "ROR", IG) with defendant Commission on or about December 1, 1989. (Gorin's Brief, p. 1). Defendants sought to develop 4.41 acres of land by converting an existing residential structure into a bank and by building a 9 store CT Page 8437 strip shopping center and a furniture showroom and warehouse. (Plaintiffs Brief, p. 3). Defendants Gorin and Mercik's plan would result in 3 separate and distinct structures. (ROR, IG, sheet 2 of 6). The subject property is located in the Town of Bozrah's Commercial Zone and within the Aquifer Protection Zone (Plaintiffs' Brief, p. 4, see also ROR ID, pp. 35-36).

On December 14, 1989 defendant Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting at which time defendants Gorin and Mercik's site plan was discussed. (Minutes of Bozrah Planning Zoning Commission, attached to Amended Answer and Return of Commission and labeled "IB"). Defendant Commission continued its discussion of the subject site plan at its next scheduled meeting, February 8, 1990. (ROR IB, minutes of meeting). Defendant Commission, at its February 8, 1990 meeting, voted unanimously to approve the subject site plan, with a condition (Id.). Defendant Commission's decision was published on February 13, 1990. (Plaintiffs' Brief, p. 1).

The court should note that on January 24, 1990 Mercik conveyed his interest in the subject property to Gorin. (Gorin's Brief, p. 2). The deed of the conveyance was recorded in the Bozrah Land Records January 25, 1990. (Id.).

Plaintiffs John and Olga Kuchy, husband and wife, filed this appeal in Superior Court on March 1, 1990 pursuant to General Statutes Section 8-8, as amended by ConnecticutPublic Acts No. 89-356, Section 1, contending that Commission exceeded its statutory authority and acted illegally, arbitrarily and in abuse of the discretion vested in it as follows:

a. The site plan includes a furniture warehouse, which is not a permitted use in the commercial zone, but is only permitted in the industrial zone;

b. The site plan includes a furniture showroom, which is not a permitted use in the commercial zone, but is only permitted in the industrial zone;

c. The site plan depicts 3 separate and detached structures on one lot, in violation of Sections 10.2 and 10.11.1 of the Bozrah Zoning Regulations;

d. The site plan depicts a drive-thru bank teller window and structure, which increases the nonconformity of the existing residential structure in violation of Section 15.2 of the Bozrah Zoning Regulations;

e. The site plan fails to depict adequate off-street parking to meet the requirements of Sections 14.1 and 14.2 of CT Page 8438 the Bozrah Zoning Regulations;

f. The parking lot configuration is overcrowded, lacks adequate access and egress and fails to meet the criteria of Section 14.1.2 of the Bozrah Zoning Regulations;

g. The site plan narrative states that 53 employees will occupy the site, with projected daily sewerage use of 1,590 gallons per day. With such a proposed use, the site plan fails to comply with Section 10.12 of the Bozrah Zoning Regulations which calls for specially designed septic systems in the acquifer protection zone;

h. The site plan fails to include a rendering of any proposed sign and its location, dimensions and means of illumination, in violation of Section 12.6.7 of the Bozrah Zoning Regulations;

i. The site plan fails to include a planting strip along the frontage of the site to a depth of not less than 20 feet in violation of Section 12.8.3 of the Bozrah Zoning Regulations;

j. The truck loading facilities for the proposed warehouse are not fully screened so as not to be visible from adjacent properties or public streets are not located in the rear or side of the warehouse in violation of Section 12.8.9 of the Bozrah Zoning Regulations;

k. Rather than ordering the applicants to comply with the aquifer protection regulations regarding septic disposal, the Commission attached an illegal condition to the site plan approval, which is vague, unenforceable, and not within the site plan requirements of the Bozrah Zoning Regulations;

l. The site plan makes no provision for the shielding of lighting so as not to adversely affect abutting property owners in violation of Section 12.8.11 of the Bozrah Zoning Regulations; and

m. The site plan does not meet the technical requirements for site plans as provided for in the Bozrah Zoning Regulations.

A hearing was held before the court (Hurley, J.) on August 6, 1991.

DISCUSSION A. Aggrievement CT Page 8439

General Statutes Section 8-8 allows aggrieved persons to appeal from decisions of zoning authorities to the Superior Court. General Statutes Section 8-8 (b) (Rev. to 1989, as amended by Connecticut Public Acts No. 89-356, Section 1 (1989)). "the appeal will be dismissed unless the appellant alleges and proves aggrievement." Smith v. Planning Zoning Board, 203 Conn. 317, 321 (1987). "Abutting landowners or landowners within one hundred feet of the land involved in any decision of the zoning board are considered automatically aggrieved. . . ." Id.

Plaintiffs allege in their complaint that they own land which abuts the subject property. Plaintiffs' deed to this abutting property was presented to the court at the administrative hearing. At that hearing, the court (Hurley, J.) found that plaintiffs were aggrieved.

B. Timeliness

A party taking an appeal must do so within fifteen days from the date that notice of the decision was published. General Statutes Section 8-8 (b) (Rev. to 1989, as amended). The appeal shall be commenced and returned to court in the same manner and within the same period of time as prescribed for civil actions brought to that court. Id. See also General Statutes Section 8-8 (e) (Rev. to 1989, as amended).

In this case, the Commission's decision was published February 13, 1990. See Plaintiffs' Brief, p. 1. The Commission was served through Bozrah Town Clerk Anna Mair and Commission Chairman on February 27, 1990. Defendants Gorin and Mercik were also served with process on February 27, 1990. This appeal is timely brought as to all defendants.

C. Scope of Judicial Review

A trial court is not at liberty to substitute its judgment for that of the administrative tribunal. See Frito-Lay, Inc. v. Planning Zoning Commission, 206 Conn. 554,572-73 (1988). The court is only to determine whether the agency has acted illegally, arbitrarily, or in abuse of its discretion. See Id., 573; Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc. v. Planning Zoning Commission, 186 Conn. 466, 470 (1982). The court is simply to determine whether the record reasonably supports the conclusions reached by the agency. Primerica v. Planning Zoning Commission, 211 Conn. 85, 96 (1989).

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Bluebook (online)
1991 Conn. Super. Ct. 8436, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/kuchy-v-planning-zoning-commn-of-bozrah-no-51-35-28-oct-21-1991-connsuperct-1991.