Ferris Acres Creamery Seeks Improved Parking/Traffic Conditions

By Andrew Gorosko

In response to concerns about vehicle parking and traffic problems at Ferris Acres Creamery, an ice cream stand at the Ferris Acres Farm at 144 Sugar Street (State Route 302), the business’s owners are seeking ways to improve the situation there.

Police Commission members, serving as the town’s traffic authority, discussed the parking/traffic concerns at a July 6 session.

The parking/traffic issues surfaced in a June 8 anonymous email letter that was sent to several town officials. That letter stated that the popularity of the ice cream stand has generated customer traffic which has resulted in a “parking and traffic nightmare” at the site.

The writer of the anonymous letter states that he/she is pleased by the ice cream stand’s success, but adds that the combination of customers parking their vehicles along both sides of Sugar Street and the customers’ use of the nearby Sugar Street/Sugar Hill Road intersection to make U-turns creates hazardous conditions.

The letter writer states that current conditions likely would result in a serious motor vehicle accident occurring in the area. The speed limit there is 40 miles per hour.

The seasonal Ferris Acres Creamery opened for business in 2004. Late last year, the business gained Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) to expand the wood-frame building that houses the ice cream stand.

Police Commission member Bruce Walczak said that conditions pose the potential for traffic accidents occurring on Sugar Street.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe noted that as it becomes darker earlier as the summer advances, it could lead to hazardous overflow parking conditions along Sugar Street. The need for customers to cross Sugar Street in the nighttime is a safety issue, said Chief Kehoe.

“It clearly is an issue,” Chairman Duane Giannini said of the Sugar Street parking.

Terry Ferris, the ice cream stand’s manager, said the business holds a town approval for 28 parking spaces at the site. The business soon plans to open an “express window” at the stand intended to expedite customer service, she said.

Mr Walczak suggested that Rob Sibley, town deputy director of planning and land use, inspect the property to learn whether expanded parking on the site is possible.

Ms Ferris suggested that the stand’s employees park their vehicles in area on the farm away from the customer parking area to free up parking spaces there.

Mr Giannini suggested that police post a special duty officer at the site during busy periods to oversee traffic flow.

Mr Walczak observed that if the existing parking lot at the site becomes crowded, customers tend to park alongside Sugar Street. The existing parking lot has poor internal traffic flow, he noted.

The parking lot becomes constricted due to the way in which vehicles are parked within it, Mr Giannini said.

Mr Walczak suggested that “No Parking” signs be posted along the side of Sugar Street opposite the ice cream stand.

Chief Kehoe noted that while parking is not prohibited alongside a state road, such parking must not be “hazardous”

“It’s a lot of commotion,” Mr Walczak said of the parking/traffic situation. “It’s a lot of activity going on at the same time. It’s a concern.”

Chief Kehoe said he would discuss the situation with representatives of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) who oversee the operation of Sugar Street.

Ms Ferris said she would discuss the possibility of increased street lighting in the area with the Connecticut Light & Power Company (CL&P).

Mr Sibley said July 8 that he had met with Ms Ferris and Charles Ferris IV on July 7 to discuss the issues raised at the July 6 Police Commission session.

Mr Sibley said he expects the Ferrises to return to the town with some engineering drawings depicting a possible parking expansion on the site.

Steps to improve the situation could include an expanded parking area on the site, improved lighting, and a clear delineation of parking spaces in the existing parking lot, he said. In practical terms, clearly marking the parking spaces in the existing parking lot could ease conditions, he said.