Date: Fri 13-Oct-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Commerce-Road-FHH

Full Text:

P&Z Recommends Commerce Rd Access Way To Fairfield Hills

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has recommended that the town acquire

property in Commerce Park on Commerce Road to provide an access way to

Fairfield Hills for industrial development.

P&Z members made the recommendation at their October 5 meeting.

The selectmen recently have been considering a town purchase of 4.8 wooded

acres at #6 and #8 Commerce Road on a broad curve in the road just to the west

of The Prudential insurance agency. The property currently is owned by the

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a US government backed agency.

The selectmen referred the purchase proposal to the P&Z under the terms of the

town's "mandatory referral" process for land acquisition.

Although the P&Z endorsed the land purchase proposal, some P&Z members had

questions about who would cover the costs of any possible archaeological

research required in connection with construction work on the site. Who would

bear those costs remains unclear.

The land would provide the town with an access way to build a road from

Commerce Road to Fairfield Hills for possible industrial park expansion. A

legal agreement which resolved a past town lawsuit against the state over the

construction of Garner Correctional Institution provided, in part, that the

state donate approximately 25 acres of Fairfield Hills land to the town for

uses including potential industrial development.

The 4.8-acre parcel's tax-assessed value as of the last revaluation of

property on October 1, 1985 was $107,310, which represents 70 percent of the

property's estimated fair market value as of that date.

Any acquisition of the 4.8 acres for road construction would be subject to

voters' approval at a town meeting. A possible purchase price for the property

hasn't been disclosed.

In another mandatory referral to the P&Z, P&Z members recommended that the

town not acquire approximately 20 acres of open space land known as the

"Weeden property" off Pond Brook Road. The owner had offered to sell the town

the land for $250,000.

St Rose School

In a referral to the Borough Zoning Commission, the P&Z endorsed a proposal

from St Rose Corporation to build a 2,750-square-foot addition to the east

side of the existing St Rose School for classroom use.

The P&Z took no action on St Rose's proposal for a future possible

2,500-square-foot classroom addition to the west side of the existing school

on Church Hill Road.

The Borough Zoning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the

church's request for a special exception to the borough zoning regulations for

the school expansion project at 7:30 pm on October 26 at Town Hall South.

P&Z Action

At the October 5 session, P&Z members approved a residential subdivision known

as Sleepy Hollow Estates for 15 lots on 40 acres at Valley Field Road and

Walnut Tree Hill Road. The applicant is M&E Land Group.

The P&Z also approved a residential resubdivision known as Saddle Ridge

Estates for 6 lots on 32 acres at Saddle Ridge Road and Hattertown Road. The

applicant is Arnold Miller.

Public Hearings

P&Z members also conducted two public hearings on land use proposals. They

took no action on either matter.

Saverio Sorrentino is seeking a special exception to the zoning regulations to

build a 700-square-foot accessory apartment in an outbuilding at 27 Plumtrees

Road near the Bethel town line. Neighbors of the property voiced opposition to

the proposal.

Also, Anthony and Eleanor Crisci are seeking an approval for Regal Crest

Estates, a proposed residential subdivision of 7 lots on 25 acres at Pheasant

Ridge Road.