Ledyard Zoning Commission’s Busy Agenda: Subdivision, Solar, Farm, Marine & Restaurant Plans

On Thursday, Sept. 10, the Ledyard Planning and Zoning Commission will gather in the Council Chambers at 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway – with a remote option for anyone who can’t make it in person – to chew over a stack of proposals that range from a modest subdivision to a gleaming solar array.

First up is a 23‑lot open‑space subdivision filed by 84 Silas Deane LLC. The plan would carve out parcels along 84 Silas Deane Road and the adjoining 58 and 59 Seabury Avenue, and even extend Seabury Avenue a bit further. The developers have included the usual paperwork: a traffic impact study, wetlands impact evaluation, cultural‑resources assessment and an archaeological reconnaissance survey. The Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission has already sent an approval letter, which the agenda notes, so that’s one hurdle cleared.

The public hearing on that subdivision will stay open until Oct. 14, and the commission is required to issue its decision within 65 days of the hearing’s close. In other words, a decision should land sometime in late December, assuming everything proceeds on schedule.

Next on the docket, Clark Cove Real Estate LLC wants to put two 1,263‑square‑foot, ground‑mounted solar panels on 55 Chapman Lane. The application is slated for formal receipt on Sept. 10, with the commission aiming to rule by Nov. 13. If approved, the panels could add a modest boost to the town’s renewable‑energy footprint.

There’s also a request from Gales Ferry Intermodal LLC to move a previously approved 6,000‑square‑foot building at 1761 Route 12. The structure, which would house office space and a marine‑maintenance facility, was originally cleared in 2023 and saw a plan tweak in 2024. Attorney Harry Heller is representing the applicant as the commission reviews the site‑plan and coastal‑site‑plan modifications.

On the agricultural side, farmer Rick Souza is asking for site‑plan approval for a small‑scale expansion on land at 691 Shewville Road and 230 Iron Street. The plan includes a one‑acre irrigation pond and a couple of hoop houses – essentially a modern‑farm makeover. Three Sons Ledyard LLC, the property’s owner, already won a nod from the Inland Wetlands Commission, which said the project qualifies as an “as‑of‑right” activity under state wetlands rules.

Meanwhile, a historic country inn at 515 Pumpkin Hill Road hopes to add a public restaurant. The inn’s owner, James Prenetta, has asked the commission to set a public hearing for Oct. 8 to discuss amending the existing special‑use permit. If the town gives the green light, the inn could become a new dining destination for locals and travelers alike.

Last but not least, commissioners will touch on a draft amendment to Ledyard’s housing‑related zoning regulations. The revisions aim to bring the town into compliance with Public Act 25‑1 (also known as HB 8002). No formal vote is listed for that item, but it signals that the board is keeping an eye on statewide housing mandates.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m., and while the agenda is packed, the commission says it will also review minutes from the Aug. 13 regular meeting and the Aug. 27 subcommittee session, plus take reports from zoning and planning staff.