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August 13, 2024

Wallingford P&Z unanimously denies proposal for subdivision with affordable housing

Google Earth A 13-lot subdivision proposed for this parcel off of Durham Road in Wallingford was denied Monday by the town.
By David Krechevsky

A 13-unit residential development proposed for Durham Road was unanimously denied over safety concerns Monday night by the Wallingford Planning & Zoning Commission.

The denial followed the conclusion of a public hearing that had been continued from July 8. 

Wallingford-based home builder Sunwood Development Corp., had filed its application in January seeking approval for a re-subdivision of the 3.5-acre property at 1136 Durham road, near the intersection with Grieb Road. The property was zoned for a single-family residence, which has been demolished.

The application proposed creating a cul-de-sac off of Durham Road that would be called Kyle Court and building 13 single-family homes, ranging in size from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. Four of the homes would have been set aside for 40 years for lower-income residents. 

During the first part of the public hearing on July 8, the applicant’s attorney, Timothy Hollister of the Hartford law firm Hinckley Allen, told the commission that the plan is to sell homes in the new subdivision but that property owners also have the right to rent. He said the home prices would range from $239,000 to $352,000.

Also during the July 8 hearing, transportation engineer Gina Musinski, of Fuss & O’Neil in Manchester, said the site lines and stopping distances for the new road and intersection would be adequate. She did note that the new road would be just 107 feet from the intersection of Grieb and Durham roads, which is below the 250 feet required by regulations. She said the smaller distance would be sufficient because of the low speeds and traffic volume.

During the public hearing Monday, residents and commission members questioned the safety of creating another intersection so close to the one at Durham and Grieb roads.

“I believe that this development will compromise local safety and health,” commission member Jim Fitzsimmons said, citing insufficient site lines and the short distance from the intersection with Grieb Road. 

Both of those issues were included among traffic and safety concerns raised by Wallingford Police Chief John Ventura, the town’s chief traffic official, in a letter to the commission about the application.

The chief’s analysis of the traffic issues contradicted the traffic study submitted by the applicant. 

Fitzsimmons noted that the applicant asked the commission to treat the Kyle Court cul-de-sac “as a driveway, due to low speed and traffic volumes. But it’s not a driveway, it’s a public road, and they are proposing a public road.”

He added that, while “we need more non-market rate housing,” the safety issues outweigh that need.

Once the hearing was closed, the commission voted unanimously to reject the application.

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