Ridgefield P&Z Approves Railroad Safety Work, Boehringer Storage Structure

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved two applications Sept. 22, including floodplain work tied to safety improvements at a Branchville railroad crossing and a new salt-storage structure at Boehringer Ingelheim.

The commission, meanwhile, continued a closely watched public hearing on a proposed golf driving range along Ethan Allen Highway after neighbors raised concerns about traffic, noise and artificial turf. The applicant is expected to return Oct. 13 with additional information on noise, trees, netting, a rendering and pedestrian access.

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The commission also began discussing the town's potential purchase of 221 Danbury Road for a public safety facility, but took no action on that proposal. The contemplated facility would be designed to accommodate police, fire and EMS operations, the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department and a communications center.

Railroad Crossing Safety Project Approved

Commissioners unanimously approved a floodplain application for safety improvements at the Portland Avenue and Depot Road railroad crossing in Branchville.

The property at Portland Avenue and West Branchville Road is owned by the state and town, with Jeffrey Fontaine listed as the applicant.

Fontaine told commissioners the work involves safety improvements at the Ridgefield Metro-North station and is within a Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zone and floodplain.

Commissioners questioned Fontaine about road closures, detours and the placement of bollards during construction. Fontaine said signage and detour signs would be provided and said the engineer was projecting an October start. He estimated the work at 147 contractor days, although a contractor had not yet been selected.

Commissioner Joe Sorena moved to approve the application with conditions contained in the Planning and Zoning staff report. Commissioner Chris Molyneaux seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Boehringer Salt Storage Structure Approved

The commission also unanimously approved a revision to Boehringer Ingelheim's special permit at 900 Ridgebury Road for a new storage structure.

The application calls for installation of a structure in the property's Corporate Development District.

Representatives said the proposed 30-by-50-foot structure would store salt and sand used for winter maintenance. They said 23 trees would be removed and about 4.8 acres would be disturbed. Representatives described the affected trees as predominantly declining apple trees covered with invasive plants.

Vice Chair Mariah Okrongly asked that invasive plants be removed to the greatest extent possible and replaced with species native to Connecticut. Planning and Zoning Director Aarti Paranjape also sought a condition requiring a planting plan to be submitted to the office for approval.

Sorena moved to approve the application with the staff conditions and the requirement for Connecticut-native plantings. Commissioner Ben Nneji seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Driving Range Hearing Continues

No decision was made on EAP Property's proposed nine-bay golf driving range at 0 Ethan Allen Highway. The commission kept the public hearing open until Oct. 13.

The special permit application proposes a driving range, parking area and related improvements in the B-2 zone. Robert Jewell is listed as the applicant.

Jewell told commissioners the proposed activity would be concentrated toward the southeastern portion of the property and said the driveway was placed on Haviland Road rather than Route 7 for safety reasons. Project engineer Steve Trinkaus said sight distances had been measured in the field and described the proposed gravel parking and driving surfaces as permeable.

Commissioners said additional information was still needed. According to the minutes, outstanding subjects include tree information, noise, an updated rendering, the height and construction of fencing or netting and pedestrian access to the crosswalk. The applicant also agreed to provide additional information about the artificial turf.

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Several Haviland Road residents spoke against the proposal.

Haviland Road resident Michael Egan raised concerns about vehicles entering and leaving the proposed driveway near a neighborhood accessway and school bus activity. He also raised concerns about repetitive noise from golf clubs.

John Arbucci, also of Haviland Road, questioned traffic safety and asked the commission to require a more detailed acoustical analysis. Chair Robert Hendrick told residents that studies or other technical evidence they wanted the commission to consider should be submitted to the application record.

Another Haviland Road resident questioned whether material from the artificial turf could enter groundwater. Commissioners asked the applicant to provide additional information about the turf.

The public hearing remained open, and no vote was taken on the driving range.

Mavis Tire Concept Draws Traffic Questions

Commissioners also conducted an informal pre-submission review of a proposal to replace the current Marty Motors operation at 92 Danbury Road with Mavis Tire.

Paranjape said the automotive use would remain, while a special permit would be required for construction of a new building.

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Commissioners focused much of their discussion on traffic and pedestrian access along Danbury Road. Hendrick suggested preserving and improving the sidewalk, while Sorena supported conducting a traffic study and asked whether access could be provided somewhere other than Danbury Road.

Okrongly suggested consulting police, fire officials and the state Department of Transportation and asked the applicant to consider landscaping and other site-design improvements. The applicant said it expected to return to the commission toward the end of 2026 or early in 2027. No vote was taken.

Public Safety Property Referred For Further Review

The commission received an 8-24 referral involving the town's potential purchase of 221 Danbury Road for a new public safety building.

Hendrick said the property currently contains a home and that discussions about using the site for a public safety facility were at an early stage. The commission did not issue a positive or negative referral Sept. 22.

Mamanasco Donation Supported, Lakeview Action Delayed

Commissioners also delivered a unanimous positive referral for a proposed donation of 84 Mamanasco Road. The parcels would be deed-restricted as open space in perpetuity and used as a small park at the owner's request.

Okrongly requested additional clarification about a proposed property sale at 29 Lakeview Drive, and asked that a letter from neighbors be added to the file. The matter was carried to the next meeting.

The commission also unanimously approved its July 28 and Sept. 8 meeting minutes and adjourned at 9:42 p.m.