Community Corner
Power Outages Stall Zoning Application for Parking Garage
The revised plan will eliminate concerns of an eyesore for neighbors, once the consulting engineer can use his office computers again.
A zoning application for the construction of a parking garage had to be postponed two weeks because this week’s widespread storm-related power outages prevented the project engineer from finalizing new site maps.
The application is for Quickcomm, Inc. on Turnberry Lane, Sandy Hook, which is eager to expand in Newtown, according to consulting engineer Steven Trinkaus of Southbury.
Trinkaus said the telecommunications company is renovating and expanding its offices and is seeking approval from the Planning & Zoning Commission of a parking garage.
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At a previous hearing, commission members expressed concern that grading and removal of part of a ridge would expose the commercial building to a nearby residential development, something the residents there would consider an eyesore.
Trinkaus had prepared a new site plan that eliminates 29 parking spaces from the garage, reducing it to 110 spaces, and makes several other alterations designed to satisfy the commission’s concerns.
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The problem is, Trinkaus lost power on Monday, along with much of the rest of Southbury, Newtown and other communities, before he could print out the new site plan maps.
P&Z Chairman Lilla Dean continued the public hearing until the commission’s next meeting on Nov. 15.
Trinkaus said the property used to be owned by the Newtown Sand and Gravel Company.
"That’s why they call it Sandy Hook," noted P&Z commission member Michael Porco.
The old sand and gravel pit is now a scenic pond owned by the town. Trinkaus said the revised plan also preserves pedestrian access to the pond.
