Planning And Zoning Commission Approves Plans For New Public Safety Complex

Both the site plan and coastal area management application for the new public safety building  were approved Tuesday night unanimously by the  Montville Planning and Zoning Commission.

Attorney Ron Ochsner, who represents the Town of Montville on the project, began the presentation of the plans and noted that some components of the site plan might not be constructed if the total amount of bids for the work exceeds the $6.5 million approved by voters in November. 

A 36-by-18-foot storage garage and what Ochsner described as “sidewalk to nowhere,” since it would dead end at the Stony Brook bridge, were suggested as optional items.

Landscape architect Jim Sperry of Kaestle Boos Associates Inc. continued the presentation, pointing out components of the project on an aerial rendering of the complex.

Upon completion of the presentation, commission members discussed the merits of the planned sidewalk bordering Route 32.

Commission member Anthony Siragusa raised a question of fairness to other recent applicants if the sidewalk were not installed, since the commission had required the installation of roadside sidewalks for businesses on Route 32 north of the site.  He also pointed out that bus passengers arriving t and departing from the state prison across the street might use the sidewalk to safely access the bus stop at the adjacent hardware store.

In the interest of preserving a funded option for constructing the sidewalk at a future time, commission member James Toner asked if money might be put aside in escrow for that purpose.  Chairman Alan Marcus replied “ That’s not the way the town does things.”

After a brief discussion of the scope of an easement to be granted the State of Connecticut for storm water drainage from Route 32 onto the property, the commission voted to approve the plans as presented.

The commission also scheduled a public hearing on revisions to the town zoning regulations that would bring the town into compliance with updated federal definitions relating to designated flood hazard areas.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said the commission approved revisions to the town zoning regulations.