Date: Fri 13-Aug-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Curtis-Packaging-warehouse

Full Text:

P&Z Approves Curtis Warehouse Addition In Sandy Hook

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has approved Curtis Corporation's

request to build a 41,000-square-foot warehouse addition to its Sandy Hook

packaging factory.

The warehouse project is one aspect of the company's three-pronged request to

develop its land near its manufacturing plant off Toddy Hill Road and Route

34. The P&Z has not acted on the two other aspects of the application -- a

rezoning of some company land from R-1 Residential to M-4 Industrial and the

creation of a 10-lot industrial subdivision. The rezoning concerns three of

the 10 lots in the proposed subdivision.

Simultaneously pending before the Conservation Commission is an application

from Curtis for a wetlands construction permit for the proposed industrial

subdivision.

Following an August 5 public hearing, P&Z members unanimously approved

allowing the packaging firm to build a 41,180-square-foot warehouse addition

next to its factory, provided that certain conditions are met.

The P&Z is requiring that the town engineer analyze and approve a storm

drainage system.

The P&Z also is requiring that metal crates, wooden pallets and scrap

materials that are stored outside the factory be discarded and that no outdoor

storage of materials be allowed on the site.

Also, the P&Z is requiring various changes to the company's landscaping plan

for the site, including brush clearing, tree planting, and construction of a

berm. The changes are intended for visual screening and soil stabilization.

Dan Droppo, president of Curtis Packaging, told P&Z members the new warehouse

will be used by the company as a storage and distribution facility for the

specialty packaging products the firm manufactures in Sandy Hook. The company

now uses warehouse facilities in Waterbury, but manufacturing products in

Sandy Hook and storing them in Waterbury is inefficient, he said.

Having a new warehouse alongside the factory will not increase the number of

company employees nor add to local truck traffic, Mr Droppo said.

Subdivision

In developing a 10-lot industrial subdivision, Curtis seeks to obscure it from

nearby residential properties, Mr Droppo said. One of the 10 lots would hold

the warehouse. The other nine lots would be sold for factory construction.

The new businesses locating at the subdivision would increase the local tax

base and job base, he said. "We think it will be an asset to the town," he

said.

All lots in the 50-acre subdivision would be at least two acres in area.

P&Z Chairman Daniel Fogliano asked whether the proposed two-acre lots would be

resubdivided into lots as small as one-half acre if the industrial subdivision

were approved. The M-4 zoning being sought for the site by Curtis allows lot

sizes as small as one-half acre.

Engineer William Carboni, representing the applicant, said such resubdivision

would be possible, but not without the P&Z's approval. Attorney Robert Hall,

representing Curtis, said he does not expect many industrial firms would want

a lot as small as one-half acre.

Mr Fogliano asked if the firm would agree to a deed restriction to limit

industrial lot sizes to two acres.

"The short answer is I would not have a problem with that," Mr Droppo said.

Perhaps some firms buying land in the subdivision would want to alter the

boundary lines of industrial lots, he added.

The plan as proposed calls for 10 industrial lots, whether or not the lot

boundary lines changes, said P&Z member Stephen Koch.

"Yes, I would agree with that," Mr Droppo said.

Mr Hall said there is not much industrially-zoned local land available in the

two-acre lot sizes that are proposed by Curtis.

The 111,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel which would be mined from the

subdivision site has economic value to Curtis, Mr Hall said. Removing the fill

from the property also would make the industrial park less visible from

neighboring properties, he said.

But Mr Fogliano questioned the amount of sand and gravel which would be mined

from the site.

"It just seems excessive. Is it possible to do this (project) without removing

this much?" he asked.

Under the subdivision plan, the Newtown Forest Association would receive

Curtis Pond as an open space donation from Curtis, Mr Hall said. That donation

would be made after the company rebuilds the damaged dam which holds back the

pond, he added.

Curtis Pond is a dammed pond which the firm uses for fire protection. It would

be used for fire protection at the proposed industrial subdivision.

Public Comment

Of the industrial development plan, resident Erica Faber of 5 Surrey Trail

said Newtown was never meant to be an industrial setting. The proposed

development will increase Toddy Hill Road traffic, she said. People moved to

Newtown for its rural quality, she added. She asked what effect the proposed

development would have on underground water levels.

Resident Timothy Cawley of 12 Sugarloaf Road expressed fear that new wells in

the proposed industrial park would deplete underground water supplies. He

questioned whether the applicant would meet the specifications of the

application.

Resident Suzanne Dunn of 4 Sugarloaf Road asked what affect the proposed

development would have on the underlying Pootatuck Aquifer.

Resident James Rehoric of 109 Toddy Hill Road said new wells in the proposed

industrial park would jeopardize existing area wells. Traffic will increase in

an already congested area, he added. The development would add to area traffic

noise, he said.

Resident Lars Nordstrom of 7 Fir Tree Lane said he favors the warehouse

portion of the application. He said he fears though that an industrial park

will generate noise pollution. He asked whether wildlife in the area would be

adversely affected by development.

Resident Greg Pierce of 47 Toddy Hill Road asked what effect the proposed

development would have on nearby property values.

Resident Chris Atwood of 47 Botsford Hill Road expressed concerns about dump

truck traffic that would be generated by removing fill from the site.

Conservation

The Conservation Commission conducted a public hearing August 11 on Curtis's

request for a wetlands construction permit which is required for industrial

subdivision construction. The commission took no action, said Conservation

Official C. Stephen Driver.

Issues raised at the session included the amount of sand and gravel Curtis

wants to remove from the site and the effect that the proposed development

would have on the domestic water wells of nearby homeowners, he said.

Conservation Commission action on the wetland permit is required before the

P&Z acts on the industrial subdivision request. Conservation Commission action

is expected at an upcoming session.

Mr Driver said he expects commission members to make environmental

recommendations to the P&Z on the proposed gravel mining and subdivision

construction plans.