MONROE, CT — The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved an excavation and fill permit for the future development of four single family houses at 125 Garder Road last week.
A previous application to make way for the construction of two industrial buildings had been denied with several commissioners skeptical of approving a permit for a conceptual plan that may never be built, resulting in a quarry, something that has occurred on other sites in the past.
“This is a legal application,” Chairman Michael O’Reilly said before the vote at the commission’s meeting last Thursday. “If it meets all the requirements, we have to vote yes. What happened in the past cannot be considered. Everyone understands that, correct?”
Commissioner Leon Ambrosey clarified that the commission does not have to give crushing permits to anybody. “It’s something we grant,” he said.
Then the commission voted unanimously to approve the excavation and fill permit application to prepare the 9.5 acre property at 125 Garder Road for a four lot residential subdivision.
The approval comes with some conditions. Among them, the permit allows the earthwork, which includes crushing and blasting, to go on for two years, but with no extensions.
The excavation was reduced from 109,000 cubic yards in the previous application to 86,185.
Blasting and crushing may only be done between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The site also cannot have a scale house, which is used in quarries.
The applicant agreed to notify neighboring property owners of blasting ahead of time and to have a point person they can contact for questions and complaints.
There should be an installation of a well to provide water for dust control, a daily log of excavated materials should be kept, and quarterly reports prepared for the town and the commission.
The applicant, Grasso Companies, was represented by Solli Engineering.
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
This type of work should be bonded. If it deviates from the agreed plan, the developer does not get the bond funds returned until it agrees with the plan.