P&Z Approves Mt Pleasant Office Building

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission members have approved the construction of a two-story, 20,000-square-foot office building at 174 Mt Pleasant Road (Route 6), near the Bethel town line.

P&Z members unanimously approved the project for Mt Pleasant Road, LLC, at a May 15 session.

In granting the approval, P&Z members decided that the project is consistent with the purpose and intent of the 2004 Town Plan of Conservation and Development.

Members also agreed that the construction proposal meets the standards and criteria required to received a special zoning permit. They additionally concurred that the plans are consistent with the requirements of B-2 (Business) zoning.

The P&Z approval takes effect on May 27.

The office building would employ “green” design aspects to enhance energy efficiency. The structure would have a masonry and glass exterior. Glass would be emphasized on the upper level, with masonry and metal cladding displayed on the ground level.

At the outset of the May 15 session, P&Z members resumed a public hearing on the development application, reviewing recent comments from the Police Commission concerning the traffic aspects of the project. That public hearing had opened on March 6.

P&Z Chairman Lilla Dean said Police Commission members consider the motorist sight lines which will be available at the driveway entrance of the property to be suitable for the project.

P&Z members then approved the application following brief discussion.

At a May 6 session, Police Commission members unanimously endorsed the traffic study prepared by Tighe & Bond of Shelton for the developer. The Police Commission, which is the municipal traffic authority, makes traffic recommendations to the P&Z.

Traffic engineer Joe Balskus of Tighe & Bond has said that the driveway entrance for the office building at Mt Pleasant Road would provide safe access to the site. There are good sight distances for motorists traveling in the area, according to Mr Balskus. Mt Pleasant Road there has a 45-mph speed limit.

“The proposed development-generated traffic will not have a significant impact on the [traffic] operations at the studied intersection and roadway system,” according to the traffic report.

The new office building would be constructed on a site directly north of an existing commercial building, which holds Grace Christian Fellowship Church. A single driveway extending from Mt Pleasant Road would serve both structures. The new building would be set back 450 feet from Mt Pleasant Road.

The church group has received P&Z approval to construct a new church off Hawleyville Road (Route 25), near Exit 9 of Interstate 84. The church would move to its new quarters after they are constructed. It is unclear how the commercial building that now houses the church would be used in the future.

Parking lots would be built for the new office building and the existing building, with 90 spaces reserved for the new structure and 60 spaces set aside for the existing building. The overall site holds 4 acres, of which the new building would be set on 2.8 acres, with the existing building sited on 1.2 acres.

The office building project has gained wetlands approval from the Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC). A brook crosses the site. The project also has gained an endorsement from the Design Advisory Board (DAB).

Mt Pleasant Road, LLC, would seek approvals for commercial signage from the P&Z in the future.

Equale and Cirone, LLP, an accounting firm, would relocate its Danbury and New Milford facilities to the new office building after it is constructed. A financial services firm also would locate there.