TPZ Discusses Updating Commericial Vehicle Regulations
NEWINGTON - The Town Planning and Zoning Commission (TPZ) is trying to establish the definition of a commercial vehicle in order to to update existing regulations pertaining to what is permissible for homeowners to have parked at the front of their properties.

       Currently, property owners are prohibited from parking commercial vehicles larger than one ton at the front of their homes. The problem is that the regulation does not define â€"commercial vehicle,” said Town Planner Craig Minor.

       The TPZ first discussed the issue at its Aug. 26 meeting, but opted to keep the public hearing on the matter open. They elected to continue that again when they reconvened Sept. 9.

       â€"I’d like as many people as we can to have input on this, as it’s gonna affect a lot of people,” Commissioner Frank Aieta said during the Aug. 26 meeting.

       Among them are independent contractors. There has not been a lot of input from them, yet, but commissioners hope that that will change as the hearing continues.

       â€"We’re not trying to hurt contractors,” said Commissioner Robert Serra, Sr. at the Aug. 26 meeting. â€"We’re not trying to hurt anybody. We want to cut down on some of the complaints. We want our contractors, need our contractors, but this does need to be addressed. We’re just trying to regulate this to a happy medium.”

       One question is regarding trailers and how they should be defined under the regulation.

       â€"It seems like trailers all by themselves have become commercial vehicles,” said Newington resident John Bachand. â€"A distinction has to be made. I have a few trailers. It could have nothing to do with a business. People use them for all different kinds of things.”

       Commissioner Mike Camila had a similar question, asking how a trailer used for, for example, recreational purposes would be classified.

       Minor admitted that he wasn’t sure, so they’ll go back to the drawing board on that one.

       â€"As we’ve found, trailer is not written in here very clearly,” he said.

       He suggests counting it as a commercial vehicle only if it is being used for business purposes, but allowing residents to seek a special permit for a second vehicle that would be used to tow it around.

       Serra, Sr. asked whether the permit would have to be renewed.

       â€"I think it would be at your discretion,” Minor said. â€"You could require them to come back at some time, depending on the vibe you get from the presentation.”

       Bachand also mentioned backhoes-another vehicle that he said can have non-commercial purposes.

       â€"It’s not a piece of construction equipment, but I guess someone can argue it is,” Bachand said. â€"I think you’d have to take it on a case by case basis.”

       The Commission discussed contacting vehicle manufacturers for a rundown on the scope of sizes they can come in in order to assess a reasonable limit for regulating them.

       â€"I see quite a few of those around town,” said Commissioner Stanley Sobieski. â€"I think we should put a limit on the type. I wouldn’t want to penalize everybody. What I wouldn’t want to see is a huge back hoe for construction.”
MORE NEWINGTON NEWS  |  STORY BY MARK DIPAOLA  |  Sep 17 2015  |  COMMENTS?