Zoning Board of Appeals

Full Member

Rachel Rowan

To make Newtown a “better place to live” my role as an elected Zoning Board of Appeals official is to accept responsibility to protect the personality and vitality of our community. And to carry out duties, digesting a mountain of information and negotiating a maze of delicate situations.

During my last term, we encountered a wide variety of zoning related problems. Knowing the intricacies of zoning, learning how to deal with people, both applicants and neighbors, with patience, tact and diplomacy and knowing how to act in stressful circumstances has helped me learn more through experience.

If re-elected, I will continue to work to be responsive to the needs of Newtown’s residents and businesses, preserving the character of our town. As a lifelong resident of Sandy Hook, I believe my critical thinking, analytic and problem-solving skills can contribute to our town’s development. Working together to take collective action and generate solutions to problems improves the lives of our residents and ensures we are attracting and keeping talent. I will be a new dynamic voice for Newtown planning for the town’s future in a strategic way, encouraging desirable economic growth and initiating better engagement in town matters.

Experience

Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate (2019-2021)

FuelCell Energy in Danbury, CT

Experience providing: investor relations support, supporting public relations outreach, drafting press releases, crafting messaging, summarizing markets, working with local town and city officials to submit CT RFPs, working with state officials on amendments to support the energy industry, understanding the permitting and interconnection process related to site installations, transmission permitting, urban redevelopment, brownfield redevelopment strategy, land use permitting/project management, etc. My experience has helped me as a Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate to not only listen carefully and understand individuals as the plead their case for a variance but also to clearly recognize when hardships that would allow for a variance of Newtown Zoning Regulations are demonstrated due to topography, irregular shape of lots and reasonable use of the land or buildings involved.

Personal Finance Program Facilitator with Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut

This experience has helped me better identify the fundamental elements of finance and determine if in fact a hardship is financial vs topography, shape lot or reasonable use of land/buildings-related which determines whether or not a variance can be granted in Newtown.


Alternates

Tiffany Hawley

The ‘DO’ matters, not just talking about wanting to be an active member of the community, but DOING it.

I want to be an example to my daughter, demonstrate the merit of being involved in our community. To make a difference in the community.

I am an active member of CERT, church, volunteer at The Thomas Merton Center, EMT, Ham radio technician, Notary Public, NRA pistol instructor and currently in ground school for my private pilots license.

Planning and Zoning should help retain the small town feel while encouraging responsible development of the land and careful consideration to the community and environment.

Fairly enforcing the rules and regulations that help keep balance on a local level. When there’s more awareness, there’s more accountability. Thank you for your time and consideration.

David Landau

My Name is David Landau, and I am seeking an alternate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

I have lived in Newtown for 21 years, with my wife Jen of 28 years. Our two sons are both homeowners in town and are graduates of Newtown High School.

I run a successful Real Estate business with Jen, and my real estate knowledge provides me the ideal experience needed for the Zoning Board of Appeals. I also spent 30+ years in the automotive industry working on problem solving, technical issues and customer service.

Newtown has been a great place to live and raise our children, and I am proud to serve as a member of the Newtown Lions Club. I have also served two years as the President of the Newtown Board of Realtors, 2 years as their Vice President and currently a board member. I also serve on the Connecticut Association of Realtors as a board member, and have had positions on the Legislative, Nominating and Strategic Planning Committee's.

I appreciate your support!