WVAC’s Win at ZBA: Wilton’s Volunteer EMTs Secure Variances for New Headquarters

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps got one step closer to the new headquarters they have been working toward for years. At the project’s second appearance in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals, the topics at hand were two additional requests:

• A variance to allow three signs on site and allow a larger sign than is normally permitted; and
• A variance to allow the building to be built closer to the property line than normally permitted.

The applicant team explained that the signage requests are to increase visibility of the site, similar to signage at the Fire Department and future Police Department, and the setback request is a result of needing to leave enough open area on the site for ambulances to turn around.

Both variances were passed by the ZBA later that evening. The only topic of concern raised was whether allowing larger signage at the WVAC building would lead to nearby businesses requesting similar variances to increase the size of their own signage.

“I know there is a lot of controversy in town about the signage for commercial properties; business owners are constantly complaining about the regulations that go along with this,” said ZBA member Justin Anderson. “And I know this is our government building, but should we not be held accountable to the same rules?”

“I think these are extenuating circumstances, being the government… I think this is a different situation than a restaurant in town,” said Vice Chair Jaclyn Coleman, who was acting as chair for this portion of the meeting. Later, in response to a similar comment from Anderson about applying different rules on just one property, she added, “Yeah, it’s a government building… that doesn’t necessarily bother me.”

This argument appeared to win over the group and the vote to approve was unanimous. However, it is worth noting that the future WVAC headquarters will not technically be a government building. WVAC is a private non-profit organization whose volunteers provide emergency medical services and transportation on nearly 2,000 calls each year. Despite its outsized importance to the health and welfare of residents, the Town has historically not served as a significant funder of the organization. WVAC currently receives just $100,000 a year from Town sources, equivalent to approximately 10% of the group’s operating budget.

In fact, WVAC has alleged that First Selectman Toni Boucher interfered with its purchase of the 232 Danbury Rd. property itself and nearly blocked it. This clash came after years of pleas by WVAC members about their need for a modern headquarters, and what they saw as the Town’s continued unwillingness to set aside space for the new facility on Town-owned land. The group ultimately resolved to purchase the property at 232 Danbury Rd. on its own and fundraise for the construction needed.

One thing that is clear is that requests for signage variances at ZBA are few and far between. Town Planner Michael Wrinn explained that properties over 10,000 square feet work with the Planning and Zoning Commission through the alternative signage program, but smaller properties like 232 Danbury Rd. would be handled by ZBA. And apparently, the matter just hasn’t come up much.

“Have we had any sign issues in the last four or five years?” asked Trevor Huffard, an alternate member of ZBA.

“I don’t remember any,” Coleman said.

Last year, the Economic Development Commission conducted surveys of residents, business owners, and sign manufacturers to capture opinion data on signage in town. At the meeting on Wednesday, Wrinn told the members of ZBA that P&Z would soon kick off a process to reform the town’s signage rules.

“The Zoning Commission is looking forward to getting a consultant on board to review all of the signage regulations,” he explained. “That’s going to take a bit of work, so that’s not happening any time soon.”

During a brief public comment period, ZBA heard from three individuals interested in the effort to preserve and relocate the historic home of John C. Walley. Walley was a man who was enslaved and later won his freedom. He purchased the home at 232 Danbury Rd. in 1838, and lived there with his family for ten years. Calls are growing for the building to be saved as a cultural landmark. However, as mentioned in our earlier coverage, the only matters that ZBA would be discussing that evening were those that concern the variances.

Looking Ahead

With its variances in place and review at the Architectural Review Board underway, WVAC’s proposal for a new headquarters at 232 Danbury Rd. is expected to be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The project will require a special permit to allow a public use on the site and may involve a site development plan. The Board of Selectmen has a role to play as well, as it must approve WVAC’s use of the emergency access road that sits on Town Hall property.

The P&Z public review process will involve a public hearing where broader issues, such as the fate of John C. Walley’s former home, may come up. As reported earlier this week, the Wilton Historical Society and WVAC are now in discussion about options for potentially relocating the structure and it’s possible that a resolution will be reached prior to the project even entering that public hearing stage.