BETHANY, CT — The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special permit for a church at 43 and 51 Russell Road on Sept. 2, imposing conditions covering occupancy, parking, landscaping, lighting and noise.
The commission voted 5-0 to approve the application for Still Waters Community Church to use a 5,400-square-foot building for Sunday church services and occasional weekday services. The commission had closed the public hearing on the application Aug. 5 after receiving comments from the public, applicant, property owner, town staff and Fire Marshal.
The approval limits occupancy during church services to 180 people, based on a determination by the Fire Marshal. The Quinnipiack Valley Health District agreed with that limit and specified restrictions on certain uses, according to the commission’s resolution.
The site will have 60 parking spaces, and no parking will be permitted on Russell Road. The church must provide enough staffing to direct vehicles into the designated parking areas. The town will monitor the parking arrangement and could require changes after six months.
The approval also requires adequate landscaping to buffer neighboring residential properties and requires existing or new lighting to be shielded to prevent light from spilling onto neighboring properties. Noise may not exceed state limits measured at the property line.