Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any special act, municipal charter or ordinance, in any municipality having a population of ten thousand persons or fewer, any elector or voter of such municipality may petition for a town referendum, in accordance with the applicable provisions of sections 7-7 and 7-9, any denial of a permit by the commissioner pursuant to section 22a-20a, that is based on the considerations required by subsection (g) of said section. An affirmative vote of such electorate shall constitute the approval of such permit notwithstanding such denial by the commissioner.