New Milford Zoners Debate Affordable Housing, Commercial Projects

NEW MILFORD, CT — The New Milford Zoning Commission continued hearings on several major development proposals during its June 23 meeting, including two affordable housing projects, commercial expansions and an industrial development, while approving a site plan for an auto repair and sales business on Danbury Road.

Commission members unanimously approved a site plan application from Jose Gonzalez allowing auto repair and vehicle sales without outside storage or display at 190-194 Danbury Road Main and 190 Danbury Road #3 in the I Zone. The commission also unanimously granted requests to waive several submission requirements, including an A-2 survey, engineered site plan, building renderings and other reports before approving the application. Zoning Enforcement Officer Laura Regan emphasized that no outside storage would be permitted at the property.

Subscribe

Several public hearings were continued to the commission's July 28 meeting.

A proposal from New-S System Properties LLC for an affordable housing development at 125 Kent Road would construct three four-story apartment buildings containing 104 units, including at least 32 affordable units. Applicant Paul Szymanski said the project would include 157 parking spaces, electric vehicle infrastructure and additional landscaping along Kent Road. Residents raised questions about truck traffic during construction and vehicle trips after completion. Commission members also discussed parking, snow storage, traffic impacts and landscaping with the applicant.

See Also: New Milford Commission On Aging Reviews Housing Needs, Senior Center Growth

Another affordable housing proposal from Boccarossa Land Investments LLC would build 12 four-story apartment buildings with 96 units at 215 and 219 Danbury Road, including 29 affordable units. Commissioners questioned the applicant about traffic, parking, construction timing, snow storage and landscaping buffers adjacent to the Cedar Knolls neighborhood. The hearing was continued to allow additional information to be submitted.

The commission also continued a hearing on Faith Ministries Inc.'s proposal to expand its church and school campus at 600 Danbury Road. The project would enlarge the sanctuary to seat 1,600 people, double classrooms for its K-12 school from 12 to 24, and add an outdoor plaza, parking and other site improvements. Commissioners discussed traffic management, landscaping, electric vehicle infrastructure and the removal of unpermitted storage containers from the property as a condition of any future approval. The commission unanimously granted the applicant a 65-day extension.

A commercial proposal at 49 Park Lane Road also was continued. The application seeks approval for a 6,100-square-foot building containing contractor offices and tradesmen shops with outside storage. Commissioners discussed truck circulation, sight lines, landscaping, parking and lighting with the applicant, while nearby residents raised questions about the building's orientation and future uses.

The commission likewise continued hearings on an application by Artel Engineering Group LLC to expand a building at 96 Railroad St. with a commercial kitchen and bakery, and on Flagstaff Investments LLC's proposal for an industrial development on Pickett District Road after applicants requested additional time to address staff and engineering comments. The commission unanimously approved 65-day extensions for both applications.

Commissioners accepted letters scheduling public hearings for three additional applications, including two proposals from Mark Lokhin involving multifamily conversions on East Street and Bennett Street, and a proposal from Spencer Guptill to construct a detached accessory building on Country Farm Lane.

The commission also approved its May 26 meeting minutes, authorized payment of four engineering review invoices and announced a special meeting on July 14 to consider several pending applications. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.