Historic District Commission approves brick surface for Station/Peaport intersection improvements, urges town to consider ‘College Blend’
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Summary
The commission approved materials for a Town of Fairfield intersection project to replace ADA ramps and add a channelized island at Station Street and Peaport Avenue, recommending the town consider Morin Brick’s "College Blend" and asking staff to note the recommendation.
The Fairfield Historic District Commission voted to approve materials for intersection improvements at Station Street, Peaport Avenue and Chester Place while the commission noted its review was limited to surface materials and not the traffic design.
Laura Grayson, representing the applicant and the Town of Fairfield engineering partnership, told commissioners the project replaces existing ADA ramps with new ADA-compliant ramps and curb extensions, and introduces a channelized island and a split for right-turn and through lanes. Grayson said the commission’s purview is the choice of materials used in the channelized island and crosswalks; the plans call for authentic red brick rather than stamped or painted concrete.
Commissioners discussed whether the commission could review final brick samples. Commissioner Jim Bohan asked for a tactile review of samples before installation; some commissioners replied that the HDC’s authority covers materials visible from public ways and that brick — not stamped concrete — was an acceptable material. A motion to approve the application as submitted carried with a recommendation that the town consider using Morin Brick’s "College Blend" product. The commission did not require a formal follow-up review of installed samples but requested the town evaluate the College Blend option.
A member of the public recommended Morin Brick’s College Blend and described it as durable for pedestrian surfaces. The commission recorded no letters in favor or opposed and closed the public hearing.