Ridgefield P&Z Continues Sewer Pump Station Hearing, Schedules Site Walk

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to continue a public hearing on a proposed sewer pump station relocation at 59 South St. and to conduct a site walk before taking further action.

Commissioners approved a motion to hold a site walk on March 8 and continue the public hearing to March 10. Vice Chair Mariah Okrongly made the motion, Commissioner Ben Nneji seconded, and the motion passed without opposition.

The application, filed by the Town of Ridgefield with Matthew Formica of AECOM representing the Water Pollution Control Authority, seeks a special permit to relocate an existing pump station, decommission the current facility and construct a new gravity sewer line to the South Street wastewater treatment facility.

During the hearing, Formica presented plans for relocating the pump station and installing approximately 2,300 feet of gravity sewer line. He said the project would not increase treatment capacity but would reconfigure flows to address infrastructure needs. The project would be funded by sewer users, not taxpayers, he said.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about project timing, tree removal, proximity to homes along Prospect Street and Quail Ridge, noise, work hours and environmental impacts. Okrongly requested clarification on decommissioning components and asked that significant trees be identified on the required A2 survey. Chair Robert Hendrick cited Section 10.2.E of the zoning regulations, noting that inventorying significant trees is required as part of a special permit application.

Formica said construction would likely take 12 to 15 months and acknowledged that portions of driveways at 120 Prospect St. would be inaccessible during installation of the sewer line. He said contractors would be responsible for any damage and that access issues would be temporary during construction.

Several residents of 120 Prospect St. raised concerns about easements, driveway access, tree clearing, trail impacts and the timeline for construction. Nancy Tine, representing the Board of Prospect Woods, asked about communication and coordination with homeowners. Other residents questioned the necessity of permanent easements and whether alternatives could avoid impacts to private property.

Hendrick noted that state statute requires the commission to close a public hearing within 35 days unless an extension is granted by the applicant, after which a decision must be made within statutory timeframes. He encouraged the applicant to update the A2 survey and conduct additional community outreach before the next hearing.

The commission also discussed a proposed density bonus regulation under Connecticut General Statutes 8-30g during a temporary moratorium review. Nneji presented draft language that would allow increased density on certain sub-one-acre parcels served by water and sewer in exchange for long-term affordable housing commitments. Commissioners discussed legal considerations, parking requirements and how the proposal might affect parcels in the Main Street, transit district and Branchville areas. No action was taken.

Earlier in the meeting, the commission approved the Jan. 27 meeting minutes with revisions, following a motion by Okrongly and a second by Commissioner Ben Nissim. The motion passed without opposition.

The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.