Condo Traffic Plan Approved

By Andrew Gorosko

Following a review of plans for a 24-unit condominium complex proposed for Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook Center, Police Commission members have endorsed the traffic aspects of the River Walk multifamily housing project.

Police Commission members, acting as the local traffic authority, unanimously endorsed the traffic and access aspects of the project following discussion with local developer/builder Michael Burton and traffic engineer Michael Galante earlier this month.

The River Walk proposal was scheduled for a Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) public hearing on the night of January 22, after the deadline for this edition of The Newtown Bee.

Mr Galante presented a traffic report to Police Commission members detailing traffic flow, motorist delays, sight line distances, and the history of motor vehicle accidents in the area.

Also, commission members discussed pedestrian safety in relation to the proposed condo complex.

Sidewalks within the complex would connect to a proposed footbridge that would span the Pootatuck River to link the development to the commercial area at 102 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook Center. That footbridge would be similar in design to an existing footbridge that crosses the river near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Church Hill Road.

The River Walk complex would have two driveways. A southern driveway would handle entering and exiting traffic. A northern driveway would handle only entering traffic. The northern driveway would be located near Washington Avenue’s intersection with Crestwood Drive.

During the past year, the River Walk proposal has gained several town development approvals leading up to the January 22 P&Z public hearing.

Those approvals include a wetlands permit, an aquifer protection plan endorsement, and compliance with flood protection regulations. The project would be served by municipal sanitary sewers and a public water supply.

The 10.2-acre site is located at 12 through 20-A Washington Avenue, on the west side of the street. The site has about 520 feet of frontage on the Pootatuck River.

Six new buildings would be constructed. Five buildings would hold four condos each. One building would contain two condos. Also, two existing houses on the site would function as condos.

Mr Burton proposes a condo complex at which half of the units would be sold to owners, with the other half rented out to tenants. In the proposed complex, 11 of the new multifamily units would be one-story, two-bedroom ranch-style residences, with the other 11 new residences designed as two-story, three-bedroom townhouse units.

Eight of the dwellings would be designated as “affordable housing” and be sold to owners or rented to tenants at prices that are significantly lower than the 16 “market rate” units in the complex.

The condos would have no basements. The complex would not have garages. About 3.15 acres of the site would be developed.