This location at 52A RT 39 is 5.3 acres has been offered to the Town on a different occasion and was refused for a number of reasons all of which were reasonable.
A Public Hearing called for ... perhaps a Town Meeting should be called for to truly access the opinion of the 'entire' town for a change of neighborhood and character of a wet land area.
SOME HISTORY ...
A Special Permit Application 22-09 was filed with the Zoning Commission for a Multi-purpose Recreational Building and Outside Field and Sports Complex. 52A RT 39 LLC, Applicant, Steve Merullo, agent/member. Mr. Merullo is an employee of the Town and at the time was the Director of Park and Recreation. Enough said! The Zoning Commission agreed to hear the Special Permit Application under the old regulations. Ms. Fox then Chairman read regulations 3.1.2A into the record and Mr. Merullo's attorney affirmed that this special permitted application would not be used for any municipal purpose. Further, the commission chairman did not feel the special permitted application would fit into the character of the private residential neighborhood considering it was a commercial facility. After some discussion the commission chairman further expressed her opinion that the special permitted application was not permitted.
WHEN AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, USE SEMANTICS, CHANGE CHAIRMAN AND RE-APPLY ... A PLOY USED FREQUENTLY ... "THESE ARE NOT TAXES, THEIR REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS ..."
The Original Application Number:22-09, Now up from the ashes as Special Permit 10-13 – 52A Route 39 – Multi Purpose Country Club – 52A Route 39 LLC with Steve Merullo it’s Member/Manager and the same cast of characters.
The "new" Commission Chairman" stipulated that they would hear this "new application" under the old regulations. The attorney reviewed for the commission the 'new' application for a country club describing the hours of operation for inside would be 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week. Outside the hours would be 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., with the lights turned off at 10:00 p.m. There would be 3 basketball courts and an interior track and they expect over 100 cars per day. He also explained there would be different levels of membership available. There is no food permit or restaurant, no lockers, no shower facilities, no meeting room, no low impact facilities for older residents such as a pool, the list goes on.
The "Country Club" was a steel fabricated building, how charming! The attorney further stated they added a tree buffer row addressing some of the issues of the residents at the Birches, notably Mrs. Dianna Peck, John Hodge's secretary. Further it was stated or rather "felt" there would be no affect on an easement from the empty storage facility.
Mr. Moran, the "new" commission chairman asked, "if they had a traffic study done, they had not and he stated they have to do a full study. Mr. Merullo explained the traffic analysis.
IS THE FIX-IN OR PERHAPS ARE THE APPLICANTS DOING LAPS ...
Mr. Moran reviewed the regulations. He asked the ZEO to ask for comments from the Planning Commission re: Plan of Development. Mr. Moran also would like comments from the Board of Selectmen. He would like to ask the Town Attorney if this application for a sports facility would fall
under a “country club”.
MORE PUBLIC COMMENT ... NOT IN MY BACKYARD!!!
Diana Peck, New Fairfield asked Mr. Gallagher to review the proposal. He explained there was a 5.3 acre parcel in R44 zone. Ms. Peck expressed concern over the buffering between the project and The Birches.
Mr. Hugh Billecki submitted a letter and photos outlining his concerns and requested the Commission not approve the proposal for several reasons.
Ms. Karen Hanley, New Fairfield Youth Lacrosse approached the Commission and spoke in favor of the application. She submitted a statement for the record.
Ms. Ellen Moore, 42 Rt. 39 approached the commission objecting to the proposal stating it was denied once it should be denied again.
Mr. Walter Wolyniec spoke against the proposal because it is a dangerous road.
Mr. Greg Bontempo, NF Soccer club spoke in favor of the proposal.
Ms. Linda Fox, 43 Rt. 39 lives across the street from the project. She is concerned about the traffic, lights noise in a residential neighborhood. She asked if the bridge was going to be widened, she felt only one car could safely pass.
Mr. Mike Evans, President NF Soccer explained the 500 participants would benefit with this facility in town.
Mr. Mike Dapolite felt the soccer players could be more competitive if they were able to practice year round.
Mr. Merullo explained this was more than just for basketball, lacrosse and soccer. This would be a multi-sports venue for old and young.
Public Hearing continued to the July 1, 2010 regular meeting and was rescheduled through extension to:
Events for 9/2/2010
| Start Time | 7:30 PM |
| End Time | 11:00 PM |
| Title | |
| Zoning Commission Special Meeting | |
| Location | |
| Town Hall Conference Room | |
| Extra Details | |
1. Special Permit 10-23, 11 Sunset Dr. B.H. For an accessory apartment above their existing garage. Section 3.1.2k – Accessory apartments. Edward & Caren Silva, owner/applicant. THE PHOENIX ... COULD IT BE THAT A COUNTRY CLUB HAS AN ALTERNATE PURPOSE? | |
