MONROE, CT — When a Walmart store was planned for 10 Victoria Drive a few years ago, clear cutting of trees went beyond the allowable limits on the site, according to Denise Halstead, the inland wetlands agent for the town.
The new owner, who wants to use the property for a fleet of delivery vans, is proposing a plan to fix the violation with plantings. On Wednesday night, the Inland Wetlands Commission unanimously agreed to allow an agent approval for the application.
“The new owner is trying to do the right thing,” Halstead said.
She said the old subdivision and wetlands permits for the site are still valid, before showing commissioners a map of the property. Areas in yellow marked where the remediation would be.
Attorney John Knuff, who represents the new owner, has declined to name the business that wants to house the fleet of delivery vans, but said it would start with 400 vans and do deliveries for the company’s new facility in Trumbull.
Amazon has a new distribution center in Trumbull.
The applicant will come before the Planning and Zoning Commission to seek a potential zone change to allow a small building with a large parking area on the property, which is over 20 acres. It is in an I-3 zone and the closest residential property is 150 feet away.
The site would have a 10,000-square-foot building for its drivers and security personnel. Phil DiGennaro, who will lease the facility to the tenant, said it would not be used for maintenance on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans.
Last summer, DiGennaro, told members of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s Regulations Subcommittee that this means business at local repair shops and tire stores would “explode.”
“Any time the drivers want a cup of coffee or need gas and tires, they will use local businesses,” Knuff agreed. “There’s no place for them to get gas or do repairs.”
