P&Z Approves Changes At South Main St Intersection

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved a local firm’s plans to make physical improvements at its 47-49 South Main Street property, including the installation of a commercial propane tank.

P&Z members April 19 voted 4-to-0 to approve Newtown Properties, LLC’s, application for multiple changes at 47-49 South Main Street, at the corner of South Main Street and Mile Hill Road. Officers of Newtown Properties, LLC, listed in the application are Andrew Hunihan and Heather Bliss.

The site now holds Newtown Tire and Service, Inc., and Newtown Oil Company. The site formerly held Trudeau’s Service Center, Inc., and Trudeau Oil Company.

P&Z Chairman Daniel Fogliano said he does not favor a recent Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) ruling which allows Newtown Properties to park vehicles closer than 25 feet to a street, but endorses the overall changes for the site planned by the firm.

“They [applicants] showed a willingness to work with us in replanting an important intersection in Newtown,” Mr Fogliano said, noting the firm’s responsiveness to the P&Z’s recommendations on planned landscaping work for the corner of South Main Street and Mile Hill Road. The corner is adjacent to one of the busiest intersections in town.

The corner formerly held a large tree and rock outcropping. The owners removed those features several years ago.

The changes planned for the site will improve the overall look of the property, Mr Fogliano said, adding that the P&Z’s endorsing the changes is in the town’s best interest.

Newtown Properties has addressed concerns about the project that were raised by some neighboring property owners, Mr Fogliano said. The businesses operated at the Newtown Properties site are good businesses to have in Newtown, he added.

Mr Fogliano said a driveway extending from Mile Hill Road to the site will generally improve traffic flow in that area.

On that note, P&Z members approved the application in a 4-to-0 vote.

 

Propane

One aspect of the application that has drawn criticism from nearby property owners is a plan to locate a 1,000-gallon commercial propane tank at the rear of the property. The tank would be used to dispense propane to consumers who use the volatile gas as a fuel for gas grilling and other purposes.  

Nearby residents Gary Sheehan, Blanca Sheehan, Lena Moniz, Robert Moniz, and Louis Neves had expressed concerns about the presence of a 1,000-gallon propane tank in their area, which, they say, could cause devastating results if there is an accident.

Another neighbor, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which has Mile Hill Road offices next door to the Newtown Properties site, had expressed similar concerns about the propane dispensing plan. The NSSF also has voiced concerns about drainage and increased traffic in the area.

In response to the concerns about the presence of propane, attorney Stephen Wippermann, representing Newtown Properties, has said the tank proposed for the site is a safe device that is regulated by the town fire marshal. Such tanks are fenced off and have limited access, Mr Wippermann has said. Newtown Oil Company will do the propane dispensing.

The firm dropped its proposal to locate a limousine service on the property, which it had sought in an earlier application to the P&Z. Nearby residents had opposed the limousine proposal.

As part of the changes at the property, Newtown Properties will expand and reconfigure off-street parking at the site, increasing it from eight spaces to 26 spaces; build a fire escape at the rear of the building at 49 South Main Street; post commercial signs; build a walkway; and install a drainage basin.