P&Z Continues Short-Term Rental Hearing to May 14

Planning and Zoning · Meeting of April 23, 2026

Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission continued a public hearing on new short-term rental rules to May 14. Chair Curt Timmerman presented the town-initiated text amendment, which raises the maximum stay from 14 to 30 days, caps rentals at three per six months, limits occupancy to six guests, and requires a round-the-clock local contact, off-street parking and proof of insurance. Western Connecticut Council of Governments planner Tucker Beckett wrote the rules are "primarily of local concern with minor inter-municipality impact." No residents spoke; commissioners voted unanimously to keep the hearing open so the town's May newsletter can draw more input.

Separately, the commission approved, 6-1, a weekend food trailer run by Joseph and Stephanie Grippi at Brookfield Bay Marina on Candlewood Lake Road, with Vice Chair Scott Dell'Accio dissenting.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 832 words

Source: the Planning and Zoning meeting of April 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

BROOKFIELD — April 23, 2026 — The Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously at its April 23 meeting to continue a public hearing on a town-initiated rewrite of its short-term rental regulations to May 14, giving residents more time to weigh in before the panel finalizes new limits on Airbnb- and Vrbo-style rentals.

Commission Chair Curt Timmerman presented the proposed amendment, which would raise the maximum rental stay from 14 to 30 consecutive days, cap any property at three rentals in a six-month period, limit occupancy to six guests not counting children under 12, and require a local contact person available around the clock, off-street parking for every bedroom rented, and proof of insurance. No members of the public spoke at the hearing, which drew only three audience members. The commission also voted to approve, 6-1, a seasonal weekend food trailer at Brookfield Bay Marina on Candlewood Lake Road.

The Full Story

The hearing on application Z-26-14 covers amendments to zoning regulation sections 2.2, which defines terms, and 3.19, the town's existing short-term rental rules. Timmerman told the commission he wanted the hearing to stay open through two meeting cycles so the item could be featured in the town's May newsletter and draw more public comment.

"I'd like to at least keep the public hearing open for two meetings so we can get more people here. We want the public input." — Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Curt Timmerman

Secretary Anthony Papouchis read into the record an email from the Western Connecticut Council of Governments. WestCOG planner Tucker Beckett wrote that the proposal is largely a local matter but noted occupancy limits help protect water quality in Long Island Sound.

"The opinion of the regional staff is that the proposed amendment regarding the short-term rentals uses primarily of local concern with minor inter-municipality impact." — Tucker Beckett, WestCOG regional planner, in written comments read into the record

The draft regulation expands from four to twelve standards, adding requirements such as a parking plan, a prohibition on renting deed-restricted affordable units as STRs, a ban on using rentals for parties or corporate events, and a new enforcement section allowing the town to revoke permits or issue fines. Commissioners also discussed building a shared database of permitted short-term rentals so police can identify which properties are licensed when responding to complaints. Vice Chair Scott Dell'Accio asked whether the rule should explicitly apply only to single-family homes rather than condominiums or multi-unit "middle housing," and the commission agreed to research and clarify that before the next hearing.

Separately, the commission took up application Z-26-18, a site plan for a weekend-only food trailer proposed by Joseph and Stephanie Grippi at Brookfield Bay Marina. Commissioners debated whether a mobile food trailer should be treated the same as a "hamburger stand," which under regulation 4.4G requires a special permit and public hearing in the Marine Commercial district. The majority concluded a trailer differs from a permanent stand.

"I think it should basically stay as is and there shouldn't be a need to come back." — commission member Jeff Hunter

The commission approved the site plan 6-1, with Dell'Accio opposed, after amending the motion to drop a "weekends only" restriction and let the applicants operate on any day, including holidays, at their discretion. The commission also voted unanimously to set public hearings for May 14 on two other applications: Z-26-21, a special permit for interior renovations and additional parking at 1014 Federal Road filed on behalf of the World Spiritual Organization, and Z-26-27, a special permit and site plan for a car wash at 10 Federal Road.

Why It Matters

The short-term rental amendment would reshape how homeowners, especially around Candlewood Lake, can rent out properties, tightening occupancy, parking, insurance and local-contact requirements while giving the town new enforcement tools, including permit revocation and fines. The rule change could also feed a shared database intended to help police flag licensed rentals and investigate noise or nuisance complaints at unlisted properties. Residents have until the continued hearing on May 14, 2026, to comment before the commission can close the hearing and vote on the amendment.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Approve minutes of the April 9, 2026 meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Continue the public hearing on Z-26-14 (short-term rental text amendment) to May 14, 2026 Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Set public hearing for Z-26-21, 1014 Federal Road special permit application Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Set public hearing for Z-26-27, 10 Federal Road car wash special permit and site plan Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Amend motion on Z-26-18 site plan application to remove "weekends only" restriction Tally: For: 6, Against: 1, Abstain: 0, Total: 7

- Vote: Approve amended site plan application Z-26-18, 474 Candlewood Lake Road weekend food trailer Tally: For: 6, Against: 1, Abstain: 0, Total: 7

- Vote: Adjourn meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

BrookfieldCT: Planning and Zoning meeting, April 23, 2026