The Water & Sewer Authority (WSA) is reviewing a request for sanitary sewer service at an 11.8-acre  site at 10 through 22 Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook Center, where a local developer/builder proposes the construction of a 74-unit  apartment complex known as The River Walk at Sandy Hook Village.

WSA members decided on March 12 that the sewering proposal would be the subject of a WSA public hearing on April 1.

Developer/builder Michael Burton wants the WSA to designate 9,250 gallons of sewage treatment capacity at the sewage plant for wastewater disposal. The site is in the sewer service district.

The project would include an affordable housing component. Mr Burton is proposing the project under the terms of the Incentive Housing-10 Overlay Zone (IH-10), a zoning designation which was recently created by the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z).

In January 2009, Mr Burton gained P&Z approval to construct The River Walk, a proposed 24-unit multifamily complex on 10.2 acres at 12 through 20-A Washington Avenue.

The economic downturn, however, resulted in that project never being constructed. The earlier proposal was approved under the terms of the Affordable Housing Development (AHD) zoning regulations.

Mr Burton said he soon expects to submit plans for the current proposal for Inland Wetlands Commission review and action. The project also would be subject to P&Z action.

The developer said the majority of the 74 proposed units would be for sale, with some units serving as rentals.

 The complex would contain mostly two-bedroom apartments, with some one-bedroom units, he said. The project would include garden apartments, as well as townhouses, he said.

Preliminary drawings for the complex indicate five buildings, including three-story and two-story structures.

Those plans show 54 two-bedroom garden apartments, six one-bedroom garden apartments, and 14 two-bedroom townhouses.

“This development would a strong boon to Sandy Hook Center,” he said, noting the complex’s proximity to the businesses in that area.