MONROE, CT — The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a petition to establish a Special Development District at 1603 Monroe Turnpike, a 4.8-acre site housing Mondo Construction Co. and Mondo Septic and Drainage, at its meeting last Thursday.
The SDD allows the Mondos flexibility in the Business-2 zone to submit a site plan application to build a retaining wall and create outdoor storage areas for an excavation contractor’s establishment.
Donald W. Smith Jr., an engineer hired by the applicants, told the commission the site plan, which will need Inland Wetlands Commission and Planning and Zoning approvals, will include the remediation of existing environmental and zoning violations on the site.
The violations involve storage of earth materials in areas that are too close to the Halfway River and to residential properties.
The site, at the corner of Routes 111 and 34, is bisected by Old Webb Road, which was discontinued by the town in 2020, and the Northeast Utilities Electric Transmission line easement, which restricts 1.3 acres from being built upon.
The Mondo family has a legal agreement with neighbors, William and Geralyn Wiley, ensuring the couple can use Old Webb Road to access their home.
In addition to being responsible for snow removal and of keeping the road free of any fallen trees or debris, the Mondos’ proposal includes plans to improve Old Webb Road by paving and widening it, and adding drainage.
Though the petition to establish an SDD did not require a landscaping plan, Smith said a landscaping and lighting plan will included, along with other details, in a future site plan application.
During the public comments portion of the hearing, Paula Jelly, of Cottage Street, asked if the zone change would only affect the Mondo property.
“My home is zoned B-2. I want to make sure my zoning doesn’t change,” Jelly said. “I’m very happy with my zoning.”
“The zone change only applies to 1603 Monroe Turnpike,” Smith said.
Michele Soltiesiak, of Cottage Street, expressed her belief that developers get special treatment from the town when they have wetlands and zoning violations, while residents are punished for theirs.
“Just because it’s the lesser of two evils, doesn’t mean it’s a good solution,” she said of the proposal.
Soltiesiak advocated for thicker vegetative buffers for neighbors and said people move to Monroe for the wildlife and fresh air. “We’re turning into Stratford,” she said.
Kelley Hangos-Carrano, of Scholz Road, asked if there was a way for the violations to be remediated first, before the Mondos receive approvals for anything else.
“Some of the violations will be corrected when the amendment is adopted, but the intention is the correction of the violations and mitigation would all be wrapped into the proposed development, and would not get a certificate of compliance with approval unless the violations are addressed,” Smith said.
Smith said his clients are prepared to make some changes to their plan to meet any requirements the Inland Wetlands Commission may have.
“We ask that you approve this application,” he said. “This project aligns with the goals of the town Plan of Conservation and Development, is good for the economy of Monroe and is good for the environment.”
Chairman Michael O’Reilly said he is not crazy about the encroachment on the Halfway River.
Town Plan and Zoning Administrator Kathleen Gallagher said the developer will need a wetlands permit to do work within 150 feet.
Ryan Condon, a commissioner, pointed out how things are flowing into the river now that should not be. He said approving the SDD could lead to an application with a stormwater management plan that would protect the body of water.
“The nice thing is they are working with us now and are willing to work with wetlands,” Condon said.
“We have to keep in mind that this has been a local business in town for decades,” said Robert Westland, a fellow commission member. “They came to us to make the area compliant. I think it’s admirable.”
Westlund said a stormwater treatment system will protect waterways in the area.
Gallagher said conditions should include requiring a better buffer for residential neighbors and additional light renderings to ensure there is dark sky compliance. She also noted the applicant expressed a willingness to mitigate invasive species.
The petition for the SDD was approved with commissioners Condon, Leon Ambrosey, O’Reilly, Vice Chairman Bruno Maini and Westlund all voting in favor.
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