Electronics Firm To Expand On Commerce Rd

By Andrew Gorosko

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has approved a local electronics firm’s expansion proposal, endorsing its plans to add more than 15,000 square feet of enclosed space to its Commerce Road building.

P&Z members June 15 approved plans from International Fiber Systems, Inc., of 16 Commerce Road to build a 15,440-square-foot, two-level addition to its 25,000-square-foot building.

P&Z members initially considered the application June 1, and referred the development plans to the town engineer for a review of the project’s storm water drainage calculations. The engineer submitted a positive response to the drainage details.

“This is a business that thrives right here in Newtown… We should do what we can to [support] economic growth,” said P&Z Chairman Daniel Fogliano, noting that the firm wants to expand its business in town. The company manufactures equipment for fiber optic networks.

The expansion application is straightforward, he said. “It’s a business that wants to stay here. Let’s do all we can to keep [it] here,” Mr Fogliano said.

In approving the plans, commission members decided the application is consistent with the regulations for the M-5 Industrial zone in which its located, and that the plans submitted for review meet the P&Z’s requirements for a site development plan. The approval takes effect June 26.

Before submitting plans to the P&Z, International Fiber Systems had received zoning variances for the expansion project from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).

The expansion project exceeds the limit on how much of the site can be covered by development, as specified by the zoning regulations, so the firm sought and received the zoning variances.

 The added enclosed area will be mostly used as warehouse space. The project includes construction of a loading dock. Five more employees will work at the facility, resulting in a minimal traffic impact on the area, according to International.

Constructing the addition will require 2,200 cubic yards of earthen fill to be removed from the site to create space for the basement level of the expansion project.