Sandy Hook Redevelopment Faces Environmental Review

By Andrew Gorosko

Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) members are reviewing the environmental protection aspects of a proposal to redevelop of a section of Sandy Hook Center with several commercial buildings, including a branch office of Newtown Savings Bank and a child daycare center.

Representatives of developer Verdat Kala at a June 23 IWC public hearing presented plans for the project proposed for properties at #2, #4, #6, and #8 Riverside Road. Mr Kala is the proprietor of The Villa Restaurant & Pizza at 4 Riverside Road.

The four parcels on Riverside Road would be combined to form one 3.2-acre site. The land abuts the intersection of Riverside Road, Washington Avenue, Church Hill Road, and Glen Road.

A prominent feature of the project would be the construction of a Newtown Savings Bank branch office at 2 Riverside Road, on the corner of Riverside Road and Washington Avenue. An existing commercial building at that address would be demolished to create a site for bank construction.

Overall, the project would involve the demolition of three existing buildings and the construction of four new commercial buildings, plus the expansion of the existing restaurant. The project would be built in two phases, with the first phase including construction of the bank and a child daycare center. Retail and office uses would come in a second phase.

Charles S. Spath, Jr, of Stuart Somers Company, LLC, of Southbury, representing the developer, told IWC members that the redevelopment site lies in the Sandy Hook Design District (SHDD) a special land use zone in Sandy Hook Center.

The SHDD zoning regulations are intended to encourage a diversity of compatible uses in Sandy Hook Center to enforce the district as a historic, mixed-use hamlet functioning as a neighborhood commercial hub, which is also attractive to visitors.

SHDD zoning regulations emphasize the value of the pedestrian scale, historic quality, and natural resources of the area. The regulations seek to encourage mixed-use development that locates dwellings near employment, shopping, and services. The SHDD regulations are intended to encourage the creation of public walkways, bicycle paths, shared off-street parking lots, and landscaped public spaces.

Mr Spath noted that the 3.2-acre site holds no wetlands and is located approximately 130 feet away from the nearest watercourse, which is the Pootatuck River.

IWC members typically review the environmental protection aspects of land which lies within 100 feet of wetlands and watercourses. That 100-foot-wide zone is known as an “upland review area.”

Rob Sibley, deputy director of planning and land use, said that although the site is more than 100 feet away from the Pootatuck River, he decided that the IWC should review the environmental protection aspects of the redevelopment project.

Land use agency staff members have been discussing the project with the applicant’s representatives for the past six months, he said, noting that those talks have produced major improvements to the site’s development design.

Mr Spath that the site consists largely of sandy/gravelly soils that have good stormwater drainage characteristics.

The section of the property where the child daycare center would be built lies in the town’s Aquifer Protection District (APD), he said.

The IWC also is reviewing the aquifer protection aspects of the project and will make a recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) on whether the new construction would significantly adversely affect the underlying Pootatuck Aquifer.

The developer is seeking preliminary approval from the Water & Sewer Authority (WSA) concerning the extension of sanitary sewer service onto the site. The applicant met with WSA members on June 10.

Also, the applicant is discussing with United Water the possible extension of a public water line onto the site.

Mr Spath explained the drainage design of the project, which would channel the stormwater flow there. Devices such a “pervious pavers” and “rain gardens” would be employed on the site to control the direction and quality of stormwater flow. Underground stormwater retention devices would be used.

The developer would use modern technology to ensure the water quality of the stormwater flow at the site, he said.

IWC member Edward Bryan pointed out that a technical critique of the redevelopment proposal indicates that the project does not meet the state’s 2004 standards for stormwater control.

Mr Spath responded that the project does meet those standards, adding that he would respond in writing to that critique.

Also, Mr Bryan asked that the developer delineate on maps the boundary line of the 100-foot-wide wetlands/watercourses upland review area in relation to site.

Landscape architect Keith Beaver of Didona Associates of Danbury, representing the developer, explained the landscaping plan for the project to IWC members.

No members of the public commented on the redevelopment proposal at the June 23 public hearing. IWC members said the hearing would continue at their July 14 session.

The P&Z conducted a public hearing on the site design of the project on June 3. The P&Z hearing will continue on July 15. The developer is seeking a special permit from the P&Z.