Southington Approves All Aspects Of Adult Housing Project

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A planned 23-unit adult housing development in town has finally received all the approval it needs by the town before the developers move dirt.

The Southington Planning and Zoning Commission Nov. 15 voted 5-2 along party lines to approve the site plan application of Southington-based AA Denorfia Building & Development's project to build an "active adult housing development" in town.

The two dissenters were Democrats Nicholas Tedesco and Christina Volpe, though no testimony was offered at the vote. The "yes" votes were all Republicans.

According to project plans, the development would consist of 23 single-family units and require connection to sewers, water, utilities and storm drainage.

The units would be inhabited by people aged 55 and over.

It would also be served by a private road, according to the proposal and the property would be at 580 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike.

On Nov. 15, the PZC met with attorney's and consultants representing the developers, attorney Anthony Denorfia as well as Harry Cole & Sons.

PZC members learned that all items on a planning department checklist "have been reviewed and met the satisfaction of town staff," according to meeting minutes.

This review didn't happen late last month, prompting the PZC to put off action at its Nov. 1 meeting.

Denorfia said the applicants' representatives specifically met with two property abutters who expressed concern about flooding and drainage, which has been a problem historically at the location.

According to Denorfia, however, the development is expected to improve drainage and alleviate any flooding worries.

"We're making a bad situation better," Denorfia told the PZC.

Southington PZC Chairman Roger Hammersley said the developers' work with property abutters and the town prior to the application getting to the PZC level was key.

"This is a great case of everyone doing it the way that we asked them to do it," Hammersley said. "I applaud the applicant, as well as staff and abutting property owners to be willing to engage in these conversations."

Southington's PZC did approve the site plan contingent on approval of town engineering officials, though that did not appear to be much of an issue and potential questions are considered "minor."

The action Nov. 15 was the second approval the PZC granted the project this month.

On Nov. 1, the PZC unanimously voted for a special permit application to build an "active adult housing development" in town, essentially the concept of such a development in the specific zone.

Nov. 15's site plan approval means the PZC is, now, signing off on specifics of what is being planned, designed and, ultimately, built at the site.

For the minutes of the Nov. 15 Southington Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For all the documents related to the proposal, click on this link.

From Nov. 10: 'Southington PZC OK's Adult Housing Development'