St. Aloysius Church is seeking permission from the town to expand the size of its planned “community building” without a public hearing, as allowed under the New Canaan Zoning Regulations.
The Planning & Zoning Commission in 2023 issued a Special Permit to St. A’s for its rebuilding project, including a new school that’s now completed and operational. Plans also called for construction of a new community building.
Now, St. A’s is seeking to increase the new building’s main gathering space by about 600 square feet, according to Town Planner Sarah Carey.
“No additional finished space on the second floor is proposed,” Carey told the Commission in her regular memo, advising the appointed body ahead of its meetings.
St. A’s is seeking administrative approval from P&Z to amend the Special Permit.
The Commission is scheduled to take up the request at its regular meeting Tuesday night.
Under the zoning regulations (see page 207 here), P&Z can modify a Special Permit without a public hearing so long as the amendments are “of a minor nature or which do not materially alter the Special Permit.”
Carey told P&Z in her “planner’s memo” that they “must first determine whether the proposed changes materially alter the previously approved special permit.”
“If the Commission determines a new public hearing should be held, the matter will be tabled,” she said.
Carey continued: “Staff recommends that the Commission does not require a new public hearing and approves the request. The proposed use of the building is not changing, the design and materials of the building are not changing, the applicant will address any drainage issues at the time of building permit application, and St. A’s Church has ample parking to accommodate the usage of this building.”