Special Permit and Application for Thirau LLC Approved By PZC

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the special permit and site plan application for Thirau LLC to use the combined properties at 25 and 45 Laurel Rd. for a contractor’s yard and office use. The motion was approved with member Henry Vasel abstaining from voting at the commission's meeting Thursday night. 

However, the commission did add a modification onto the approval requiring the swale system on the site to be designed for a 50-year flood plan, with any outstanding issues being handled by the town staff.

Thirau LLC is an electrical services company based in Newington. The company was looking for a bigger space because their business is expanding.

The public and commission members had concerns with the drainage, runoff and swale, which is a low or hollow place to help with drainage, in the plans.

Owen White, owner of C. White & Son, whose property abuts the proposed development, was concerned with drainage from the site, especially near his back parking lot.

“Our issues are with the swale itself, that it is not going to be able to hold a large storm.“

White felt runoff would come onto his property and cause weeds and damage to his parking lot.

Alan C. White, of C. White & Son, said he is concerned with runoff affecting his company's generator, which has sustained his business during the recent power outages.

"It is critical that we keep it running. If that generator gets water logged and shuts down, I'll be shutdown."

The engineer for the applicant told the commission that he did not expect any runoff from the site.

Chairman Barry Goldberg said he wanted to have a 50-year standard for the drainage swale and was willing to leave the public hearing open.

“We should be on the safe side.”

Goldberg said that the experts for applicant said that they would be able to make the swale deeper and wider to help with drainage.  

Ken Slater, the attorney for the applicant, said they would be willing to meet that standard to “address the concerns of the neighbors.”

Town Planner Kim Ricci also had an issue with outside storage and said items stored outside must be screened from the street.

However, they do not have to be screened from abutting properties.

The town's Design Review Board also approved the application on Nov. 10.