Madison P&Z Approves Downtown, Sidewalk Projects And 4-Unit Apartment Building

MADISON, CT — The Madison Planning and Zoning Commission approved a four-unit apartment building and two town infrastructure projects last week, while concerns about tree removal, historic properties and pedestrian safety figured prominently in discussions.

The commission also continued a hearing on an 18-home cluster development proposed for Mill Road until Sept. 17.

Four-Unit Apartment Building Approved On Durham Road

The commission unanimously approved a special exception application from David Klein to construct a four-unit apartment building at 397 Durham Road.

Klein presented revisions that moved parking closer to the building, added bollard lighting and relocated an outdoor grill and patio area to the south side of the building. He said the changes would help preserve larger trees that could have been affected by parking near Durham Road. The revised facade and materials also received a favorable recommendation from the Architectural Coastal Consulting Agency, or ACCA.

During public comment, Joseph Piccirillo of Durham Road raised concerns about possible noise and lighting from the patio. Laurian Cimino of Brantwood Drive questioned potential effects on wildlife, while Richard Talentino of Fairfield Road asked about the commission's review of tree removal.

Commissioners discussed whether to impose noise restrictions on the patio but decided against doing so. Vice Chair John Dusza said environmental impacts had been considered when the commission previously approved a regulatory amendment allowing residential use on the property.

Conditions of approval require dark-sky-friendly lighting with a maximum color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin. The applicant also must relocate erosion controls and a stockpile area to avoid construction impacts to a 42-inch tulip tree, remove an existing gravel parking area and restore it to natural vegetation.

The approval takes effect Sept. 3.

Madison Center Phase 3 Moves Forward

Commissioners also unanimously approved Phase 3 of the Madison Center Project, allowing road, pedestrian and landscaping improvements along Boston Post Road downtown.

Town Engineer Rob Russo said the overall project is about two-thirds complete and new funding will allow work to continue. The latest plans largely follow an earlier approval but add a mid-block crosswalk and make changes to the Tuxis Pond walkway entrance.

Russo and Joe Kelleher of SLR Consulting described plans to extend portions of the center median, replace existing brick refuge areas with a crosswalk that complies with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and improve landscaping around the Tuxis Pond entrance.

Plans for the pond entrance include decorative lattice fencing, native plantings, bollard lighting and a 7-foot-wide paver walkway. The project also addresses a grade change in front of the Aerodome building, where commissioners favored a monolithic granite seating wall and center brick step.

Public comments included calls for accessibility improvements, removal of invasive species near Tuxis Pond and concerns about jaywalking. Kit Wilcox of Warpas Road asked why access to the pond could not be expanded behind other Boston Post Road properties. Russo said those properties are privately owned, and the town does not have public access easements there.

Commissioners unanimously approved the project with conditions, including use of the granite sitting wall in front of the Aerodome building and continued maintenance of existing landscaping installed as part of the Madison Center Project. The approval takes effect Sept. 3.

Tree Removal Draws Concern In Sidewalk Project

A separate town proposal to construct sidewalks and crosswalks along Boston Post Road, Britton Lane and West Wharf Road also won unanimous approval, although the planned removal of a large oak tree prompted concern from residents and commissioners.

Russo said the project would realign Britton Lane to make room for a sidewalk and improve the intersection's geometry. At the recommendation of the Historic District Commission, plans were changed from concrete to brick pavers with granite curbing along the north side of Boston Post Road. Sidewalks along West Wharf Road would remain concrete.

The project would extend sidewalks to existing CT Transit bus stops and add a crosswalk at Lantern Hill and West Wharf roads. Russo said the town hopes to receive final Connecticut Department of Transportation approval in time for construction in spring 2027.

Residents raised questions about wetlands, maintenance, trees, the effect of construction on historic homes and whether the Britton Lane realignment is necessary.

Tyler Morrison, vice president of the Madison Country Club, asked about signs warning pedestrians of errant golf balls and whether culvert work was planned. Russo said he would consider signage and that the project does not include culvert work.

Tom Boyle, chair of the Historic District Commission, discussed that commission's recommendations for brick pavers and granite curbing. Other speakers differed over the proposal: Catherine Ferrante of Copse Road expressed concern about a sidewalk on Britton Lane, while Lianne Herdle of Bradley Road supported the project. Jes Joseff of Green Hill Road called for balancing pedestrian improvements with protection of historic homes.

The proposed removal of a 36-inch-diameter oak at Britton Lane and Boston Post Road became a focus of the commission's deliberations. Commissioner Michelle Clark and Snow both raised concerns about losing the tree.

Commissioners added language saying that if no alternative to removing the oak can be found, the town should plant a "reasonable and appropriate number" of replacement trees. The approval also acknowledges the area's historic character and encourages protection of historic buildings during construction.

The project was approved 8-0 and takes effect Sept. 3.

Mill Road Housing Hearing Continued

The commission took no substantive action on a proposal for an 18-home small, single-family cluster development on Mill Road.

Attorneys Christopher McKeon and Marjorie Shansky appeared for applicant SWPG River Road LLC. McKeon requested that the hearing be continued until the commission's Sept. 17 meeting. Commissioners unanimously agreed.

The proposal calls for 18 detached single-family homes, a private road and related utility, septic and stormwater improvements.

In other business, commissioners unanimously tabled the town's coastal site plan application to replace the Garnet Park Road bridge over Bailey Creek until Sept. 3. They also scheduled a Sept. 17 public hearing on an application to resubdivide property at 19 Advent Hill Road.