The Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday night denied plans for a propane gas operation on Route 67.
Phoenix Propane was not given permission to operate a business at 268 Oxford Road (Route 67) for the purpose of selling propane and accessories.
The company had planned to install an 18,000 gallon propane tank on the property and sought a special exception under the zoning laws to operate the business.
The lot is 1.15 acres and it has a two-family house on the property which would have been retained as part of the plan. In addition to keeping the two-family home, the company wanted to build a two-story building for retail and storage of propane.
People could come and buy propane and trucks would be filled from the site to deliver propane to homes and buildings heated by propane.
The decision to deny the application of the company was unanimous.
The company is made up of Ken Schiable of Shelton, Ralph Tirella of Oxford and Tom Hollister, of Naugatuck.
Commissioner Bonnie Bartosiak said she was concerned that there could be a danger to the nearby residence.
“My concern is that they will maintain a residence use (on the property, located near Haynes/Oxford Town Center Products on Route 67.) The fact that a family is so close to propane is not conducive to public safety,’‘ Bartosiak said.
Commissioners said they denied the application because the sale and distribution of propane is incompatible with existing residential use as a dwelling is only
20 feet from the proposed propane distribution building.
Also the commission said the sale of propane would be detrimental to the welfare and property values in the neighborhood. The board said the proposed use would increase traffic on a driveway shared by the residence and propane company and would create additional truck traffic on Route 67.
Finally, the board said the lot is too small for the operation of a propane business and a residence.
On Nov. 18 the commission held a public hearing on the plan and two residents expressed opposition.
Resident Richard Burke (who is also a member of the Board of Finance,) said the company should be located in the town’s industrial park and not on Route 67.
“Route 67 is the main artery through our rural town. In every survey conducted by your board through the years, the town’s citizens have stated that keeping the town rural is the number one priority,’‘ Burke told the board.
Burke urged the board to deny the application and suggested the PZC partner with the town’s Economic Development Commission and Long Range Planning Committee to come up with a plan for Route 67 to “keep our town village like and inviting.’‘
He said allowing a propane operation and related truck traffic make Route 67, “very industrial,’‘ and “something not to be proud of.”
