The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) denied a subdivision application during its meeting at the Municipal Center’s Council Chambers on Thursday, December 16.

Application 21.26 by Santo Silvestro proposed a subdivision located at 18 Platts Hill Road, as demonstrated on a set of plans titled “Overall Site Plan 18 Platts Hill Road Newtown, Connecticut.”

The public hearing portion of the application took place at previous P&Z meetings and was closed on December 2.

During that December 2 meeting, licensed engineer Steve Trinkaus represented the applicant. He reported that his client does not intend to sell the property or create new structures on the land.

Trinkaus noted that the subdivision is to put different uses on separate parcels. The property includes a FAA-approved grass airstrip, main house, and barn.

At the recent December 16 meeting, P&Z member Roy Meadows started off the discussion, saying, “I have several problems with this subdivision.”

He brought up lack of accessibility and how when there was a fire on the property it posed an issue. He added that they have not put in a fire suppression system.

Meadows also noted that town engineer Ronald Bolmer said they do not need three lots on one driveway.

“It just doesn’t seem to me that it’s meeting our criteria for a subdivision,” Meadows said.

Bloom added that he agrees and would like to see a driveway for each lot. He noted that there are currently people living in a trailer on one of the lots.

The P&Z members conferred with Newtown Director of Planning George Benson on issues of non-compliance by the applicant. They also sought and gained insight on enforcement issues that have reportedly occurred pertaining to the property over the years.

“They are looking for the commission to give them waivers,” Benson said.

A motion to deny the application was made on the grounds it was found to be “inconsistent with the plan of conservation and development.”

Among reasons cited for a denial were:

*Memos from the fire marshal, town engineer, health district sanitarian, and land use deputy director recommending to not approve the proposed application;

*Absence of wetlands approval;

*Failure to provide the P&Z with cut and fill calculations, driveway access to all proposed lots, a fire suppression tank, septic and well information, a complete survey map, complete existing conditions map, and a letter of archeological review and recommendations.

The P&Z unanimously voted to deny the application.

January 6 Meeting

The next P&Z meeting will take place on January 6. On the agenda is the continued public hearing for three applications pertaining to a three-story apartment building at 35 South Main Street. The building would have 13 one bedroom, 12 two bedroom, and 2 three bedroom apartments.

The property is across the street from Modzelewski’s Towing & Recovery Inc and next to Chintz-N-Prints.

Many residents came out to express concerns over the apartment proposal during the applications’ public hearing on December 2. Concerns included its impact on traffic, drainage issues, light pollution, and its lack of appropriateness for the area.

The community is welcome to attend its continued public hearing on January 6 to learn more and participate in voicing comments.

For more information about the Planning and Zoning Commission and upcoming meetings, visit newtown-ct.gov/planning-zoning-commission.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.