MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
31 Pecks Lane, Newtown, Connecticut December 7. 2006
Present: Mr. O’Neil, Chairman; Ms. Dean, Secretary; Mr. Poulin and Ms. Brymer. Alternates: Mr. Mulholland and Mr. Cruz. Also present: Ms. Stocker, Director of Community Development. Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
The meeting was opened at 7:37 p.m. Notice is made that the entire meeting was taped and can be heard in the Planning and Zoning Office, 31 Pecks Lane, Newtown, Connecticut
PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION UNDER CONN. GEN. STAT. 8-30G OF DAUTI CONSTRUCTION LLC FOR; (1) AMENDMENT OF NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS (2) RE-ZONING OF A 4.568 ACRES; AND (3) SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVAL, EDONA COMMONS RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, 95 & 99 CHURCH HILL ROAD, SANDY HOOK, CONNECTICUT, ASSESSOR’S MAY #39, BLOCK #1, LOTS #10/11
Ms. Dean read the call for the hearing
Mr. O’Neil read the correspondence in the file and asked to hear from the applicant
Ryan McKain, Esq., Shipman & Goodwin, LLP, 1 Constitutional Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut submitted two binders containing the material from the previous hearing that were pertinent to this one. He also submitted a handout containing the details of this application. The major difference between this and the prior one is that this is being made under 8.30g Affordable Housing. He proceeded through the contents of the handout. Mr. McKain requested that the three components of the application be addressed separately. He also submitted a copy of the details for the Wetland Commission.
Robert Aldridge, Aldrige & Burns, Architectural Engineer, 13 East Pembroke Road, Danbury, detailed the design of the units.
Michael Galante, Frederick Clark Associates, 41 Ruane Street, Fairfield, Connecticut, Traffic Consultant covered Table 5 of the Report
Tim Pelton, HoldsworthPelton, East Berlin, Connecticut, site safety designer, addressed the contents of Tab 10.
A recess was called at 8:55 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:07 p.m.
The project engineer was detained at another meeting. Mr. O’Neil asked to hear from the public.
Megan Williams, 82 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, Connecticut submitted letters from Jen Freed, P.O. Box 412, Newtown and Drew Rocky, 86 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, Connecticut as well as herself which she read into the file. They all expressed opposition to the project.
Emily Cassidy, 157 Jennifer Drive, Sandy Hook, Connecticut read and submitted a letter in opposition.
Bill Jensen, 171 Jennifer Lane, Sandy Hook, Connecticut expressed opposition
Mary Ann O’Donnell, 97 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, Connecticut expressed opposition
Ida Candida, 155 Jennifer Lane, Sandy Hook, Connecticut expressed opposition.
Morgan McLaughlin, Southbury and Alberts Hill Road, Sandy Hook, Connecticut expressed opposition.
Mary Fellows, 120 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook, Connecticut expressed opposition.
Lincoln Sander, 211 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook, Connecticut, President of the Newtown Historical Society expressed opposition.
Elizabeth Lincoln, Echo Valley Road, Newtown, Connecticut expressed opposition.
Wendy Davidson, 88 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, Connecticut expressed opposition.
Chris Breault, 13 Washington Avenue, Sandy Hook, Connecticut expressed opposition.
Joe Borst, 10 Beechwood Drive, Sandy Hook, Connecticut expressed opposition. He wondered how this application could be before the Commission when the previous one is still in litigation
Joseph Hovious, 3 Leopard Drive, Sandy Hook, Connecticut decided to wait till after the engineer had made his presentation.
Steve Trinkaus, Trinkaus Engineering LLC, 114 Hunters Ridge Road, Southbury, Connecticut explained the engineering aspects of the application.
Ms. Dean noted that considerable material was to be removed from the site which is not allowed under the current regulations.
Mr. O’Neil expressed concern that the application as stated seems to be spot zoning.
The Commission expressed concerns about parking, traffic, the lack of sidewalks, safety, lack of play area, blasting, light pollution and where snow would be piled after major snowstorms.
As a result of the engineer’s comments some members of the public had additional questions
Elizabeth Paes, 167 Jennifer Lane, Sandy Hook, Connecticut asked about the dividing line along he property
Mary Ann O’Donnell asked about buffering between the back of the units and her property
Wendy Davidson was concerned about the lack of parking spaces that would result in parking on Church Hill Road.
Lincoln Sander noted that it would take about 500 trucks to remove all the material from the site
Megan Williams thought the developer should be responsible to notify the neighbors of blasting.
Joseph Hovious was concerned about the drainage as described and the impact that the project would have on the design district
Ida Candida asked about the height of the wall behind Jennifer Lane. She considered the parking inadequate and asked where plowed snow would be placed.
Chris Breault asked the Commission for assurance that all promised adjustments would be honored.
Joyce DeWolfe, 17 Boggs Hill, Newtown, Connecticut expressed opposition to the project.
Mr Trinkaus and Mr. Mckain addressed the concerns raised. A letter requesting an extension so the Commission and staff have a chance to digest the new material was submitted.
The hearing was continued.
Mr. O’Neil made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Cruz.
Vote: Mr. O’Neil Yes
Ms. Dean Yes
Mr. Poulin Yes Ms. Brymer Yes
Mr. Mulholland Yes
Motion approved
The meeting adjourned at 11.15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
________________________
Lilla Dean, Secretary
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