(Working notes) TOWN OF ROCKY HILL PLANNING AND ZONING ...

Planning and Zoning Commission Page 9
Meeting of May 18, 2011
there would also be an outdoor pool. The medical office building along Brook Street
would be approximately 5,750 sq. ft. There will be 1 and 2 bedroom units only and
would be about 750 sq. ft. to 1,100 sq. ft. There would be no elevators in the buildings.
Mr. Gorman said they would present studies that show that there is a very low number of
rental units for the number of employees in the area.
Mr. Rappoport said they would restrict all truck traffic from going east on Brook Street.
Commissioner Faulkner asked if they took into account how this development would
impact schools. Mr. Denton Hopper, Land Use Planner for Levy and Joanie said
studies have shown that except for single-family homes, just about every other use has a
positive impact on the financial arrangements of the Town. They feel these would really
be starter homes and as families have children they would probably move on to a
different arrangement. Commissioner Faulkner asked if they took into account the fact
that they had another application for a medical office development in the same area. Mr.
Gorman said they used the medical office use because that has the worst traffic scenario
but this doesn’t have to be used for medical offices. Commissioner Faulkner said he
hopes the applicant will present studies showing that these apartments will most likely be
filled. Mr. Gorman said since Century Hills was constructed, 2 million square feet of
business have been built and that creates a high demand for local housing.
Vice Chairman Goldberg said since they eliminated multi-family housing zones the
Commission has debated whether or not they should bring it back. He asked the
applicant to find out what percentage of rental housing and condominiums are vacant
versus what is occupied. Mr. Gorman said they would get that information and he
pointed out that right now there is a high demand for rental apartments in Connecticut.
Vice Chairman Goldberg said he is also concerned about the additional traffic that will be
added to Brook Street and he asked for a review of traffic on Brook Street all the way up
to Route 3. He also said any information about tax dollars being brought to the Town is
not part of the function of Planning and Zoning.
Commissioner questioned the fact that they are building 3-story units without any
elevators. Mr. Rappoport said in their experience you really only need elevators when
you go to four stories.
Chairman DiLorenzo asked if there are any trails on the adjacent properties that this
applicant can connect to. Mr. Gorman said none that he is aware of but he reminded the
Commission that you really couldn’t cross the brook in that area. Chairman DiLorenzo
asked if they would consider adding a bocce court. Mr. Gorman said they have the room
for something of that nature and they can look into it.
Mr. Denny Harper asked when they might get an answer about the multi-family use on
this property. Chairman DiLorenzo said that they would be asking the Town Attorney to
answer that question in an “expeditious manner”.