Several residents in the Hull Street neighborhood are gearing up for a fight against a proposed 55-and-over development on 4.6 acres alongside Route 8.
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At the second public hearing on the proposal Monday night, neighbors highlighted concerns about blasting, drainage and quality of life issues they believe will be caused by the development.
“My first question is how does this benefit the city of Ansonia in the long term,” asked Timothy Milenkevich, who was one of several neighbors who spoke Monday. “My second question to the general public is — how do we stop this from happening?”
But Planning and Zoning Commission chairman Bart Flaherty told the residents that as long as the developer, Ray Sadlik of TWC Development LLC, complies with the city’s zoning regulations, there isn’t much the commission can do to stop the development from moving forward.
“If you meet the criteria, we have to allow it to happen because it’s your property,” Flaherty said. “Would we rather have open space? Of course. But I don’t own the property and the city doesn’t own the property. He’s a property owner just like anyone else and he’s made an application to do this.”
Background
The proposal would bring 22 condominium units to the land, portions of which sit on an old quarry. One of the units will be in an existing home on the property, according to the proposal.
In September, when Sadlik first presented the plans to the Planning and Zoning Commission, he said the condominiums would be cottage style homes, with vaulted ceilings, one-car garages and gas fire places.
The homes would have one first-floor bedroom and a loft area where a second bedroom could go. Sadlik said the grounds would have bocci courts, a gazebo and a gardening area.
He estimated the units might be put on the market for $250,000 to $300,000 each.
If approved, it would be the first 55-and-over development in the city.
Blasting
Developing the land would require about a month of blasting to break up rock ledge in the area and fill in the quarry.
Many of the homes in the area were built more than 100 years ago, and homeowners questioned how the blasting would impact the plaster walls and stone foundations.
Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley answered questions on the blasting for much of the hearing.
“What if there’s a gas leak?” resident Rich Fiddler asked. “Shouldn’t that be a requirement, that the pipes be inspected to see if they can handle the blasting?”
Others questioned who would pay for damages to their homes.
Tingley said the blasting company’s insurance would be responsible for payments, and promised residents that whatever blasting company is hired would be required to carry the insurance.
“I wouldn’t issue a permit without it,” Tingley said. “That’s my bottom line. No insurance, no permit.”
Tingley said he has issued about 20 blasting permits as the city’s fire marshal and has only had about two claims of damages by neighbors.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” Tingley said. “I don’t know if it’s good blasters or good luck.”
Other Concerns
Other residents were concerned that adding 22 homes to the neighborhood would add too much volume to the sewer system.
“The same pipe that brings storm water also brings sewer water,” said Judith Sullivan, a resident of Nichols Street. “Storm and sewer water backs up and enters my basement. I’m wondering if more houses will mean more back-up. I wonder if you’re going to hook those 22 units into the same combination sewer/water pipe.”
Other residents had expressed similar concerns at the first public hearing last week.
Flaherty said he sent a letter to the Water Pollution Control Authority board highlighting the concerns.
“Planning and Zoning has no control over sewer hookups in the city,” Flaherty said.
Other officials denied that a combination system, which can lead to sewage back-ups that Sullivan described, still exist in Ansonia.
“It’s absolutely untrue that they mix sewage and city water,” said Gene Sharkey, a member of the Board of Aldermen who was at the meeting and who called the public works director when he heard Sullivan’s comments.
Michael Schryver, the superintendent for public works, was unable to be immediately reached for comment Tuesday.
Other general concerns include the loss of open space in Ansonia.
The planning and zoning commission continued the hearing until 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 23.
