Date: Fri 24-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Eagle-Hill-P&Z

Full Text:

Eagle Hill Gets Permission For A Conference Room

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has unanimously approved a proposal

to build a 615-square foot conference room at The Cornerstone of Eagle Hill on

Alberts Hill Road in Sandy Hook.

Eagle Hill required an amendment to its special exception to the zoning

regulations to build the room for staff meetings.

At the January 16 session of the commission, P&Z member Thomas Paisley moved

for the approval of the plan, saying, "It's pretty clear-cut. I can't see that

there's any problem with it."

Those present and voting on the application were Mr Paisley, Chairman John

DeFilippe, Stephen Koch, Daniel Rosenthal and James Boylan.

The applicants claimed that building a conference room would not result in

more employees, more patients, or more water being used at the treatment

center. Eagle Hill currently employs 55 people.

Architect Hugh Sullivan of Bennett Sullivan Associates of Southbury,

representing Eagle Hill, said a conference room would provide space for at

least 24 people at the 23-acre site. Mr Sullivan spoke at a public hearing on

the proposal early this month.

The nearest a conference room would be to a property boundary would be 60

feet, Mr Sullivan said.

Resident Julia Wasserman, of Walnut Tree Hill Road, who owns property across

Alberts Hill Road from Eagle Hill, told P&Z members at the hearing the initial

special exception which the town granted to Eagle Hill is very specific

regarding the facility's night meetings.

Night meetings generate traffic on Walnut Tree Hill Road, she said. Mrs

Wasserman asked Mr Sullivan why Eagle Hill needs a conference room that is

more than 600 square feet in area.

"The night meeting issue has not been addressed," Mrs Wasserman said of Eagle

Hill's application for a conference room. Night meetings at Eagle Hill

generate much traffic on nearby roads, she said.

"This application is clearly for a staff conference room only," Mr Sullivan

responded.