Planning and Zoning Approves New Garage at 155 South Road

Competing against both the celebration of St. Patrick's Day and the University of Connecticut's first round game in the NCAA tournament, the intrepid Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission met Thursday evening at Enfield Town Hall. A light agenda made for a brief meeting, to the delight of the commission.

Town Manager Matthew Coppler presented his Plan of Capital Improvement to the commission. Highlights of the report included an upgrade to town radio equipment to bring the technology up to current standards, replacement of refuse equipment to accommodate tipping barrels for recycled waste, replacement of on-board computers for police vehicles, and continued funding for the transit station in Thompsonville.

Commissioner Peter Falk raised concern about the usage of the train station, saying, “it's going to look beautiful but will anybody use it? Unless it will be convenient and affordable, nobody is going to use it.” Coppler responded that the station fits into a possible plan of re-zoning for the Thompsonville section and fits into the state and federal plans of “High Performance Rail” commuter service for Connecticut. In coordination with the Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), $50,000 worth of funds will be available to develop the re-zoning plan, designed to integrate the areas surrounding the rail station with proper development. All of Thompsonville is currently zoned R33, though Coppler noted most parcels probably do not currently comply with that designation.

The replacement of computers on police vehicles represents roughly half of the cars in the fleet. The upgrades are completed on a two-year schedule, and this year represents the second year of replacements. The computers have an expected lifetime of four years.

The commission voted unanimously to forward the Plan of Capital Improvements to the Town Council for its consideration.

The commission also voted to approve the application for a replacement building at 155 South Rd. A 3,800 square foot garage belonging to Angelo and Mary Realty, LLC and operated by Bosco's Automotive collapsed under the weight of snow on Feb. 2.

The new structure will be 8,800 square feet. Bosco explained the additional square footage would better serve as a terminal for his vehicles. The plans for the new building do not call for work bays or lifts, and the space will be used primarily as storage for the wreckers and equipment with very limited work to be performed on site. Bosco says he has not decided whether to construct a water main to the structure or dig a well for water. He plans to work with the Health Department to determine the best course of action for a water supply. 

Action on the Plan of Conservation and Development was tabled until the next meeting of the commission on April 7. The agenda item was tabled in order to give the Town Council additional time to offer recommendations about the content of the plan. The public hearing on the plan is closed. Passage of the plan requires a 2/3 majority of the Planning and Zoning Commission.