Public raises traffic and safety concerns as Shelton commission continues 56‑unit 8‑30g proposal

The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission continued the public hearing on application 24‑34, a proposal by B Whiz LLC for a 56‑unit residential development at 390 Shelton Avenue, after residents and the project’s traffic engineer debated traffic counts, sight lines and sewer capacity.

The application, presented as an 8‑30g planned development district on about 5.42 acres, seeks approval for 56 condominium units and was accepted for review on Dec. 11, 2024. Traffic consultant Kermit Hua told the commission peak weekday trip generation for the project is about 27 trips in the morning peak hour and about 32 trips in the afternoon peak hour, and that levels of service on Shelton Avenue at peak would be in the A–C range. Hua said he used 2022 Connecticut Department of Transportation counts and applied a 1.2% annual growth factor to estimate future volumes.

The commission heard repeated objections from nearby residents who said actual traffic and school‑related peaks are higher than the DOT counts indicate. Dan Christiansen, who lives next door to the site, said he frequently sees heavy volumes and near‑misses from motorists and urged the commission to require more detailed counts timed to school release periods. John Mercurio referenced a police report he previously submitted to the record that showed 17 accidents across Shelton Avenue from 2019–2024; the project traffic analysis cited five accidents over a recent three‑year span in the corridor immediately in front of the site.

Commissioners pressed the applicant to document the dates and hours of the DOT counts and to supply the raw count files for review. Commissioner Kelly asked whether counts were taken during school sessions and requested that the applicant provide the original DOT counts and dates so the panel could verify whether the highest hours used in the study coincide with school dismissal times. Hua said he would submit the underlying DOT data and the selected highest two hours used for the peak‑hour analysis.

Sight‑distance and roadside topography were another focus of the hearing. Residents and commissioners described the driveway location near a curve and a hill crest on Shelton Avenue; the applicant’s team said vegetation removal and trimming on the state right‑of‑way, subject to state DOT approval, and proposed landscaping changes would improve sight lines. Commissioners noted, however, that any trimming or changes in state right‑of‑way will require a state encroachment permit and therefore could affect final access design.

Sewer capacity and wastewater processing also came up in public comments. Speakers asked whether the city’s Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) had approved downstream sewer capacity and whether a lack of capacity could force denial or substantial revision. Commissioners reminded the public the commission typically conditions local approvals on WPCA acceptance; the developer confirmed WPCA review would be required and that municipal approvals were contingent on WPCA signoff.

After roughly two hours of testimony and public comment, Commissioner Perkins moved to close the public hearing and the motion passed on roll call 6‑0. The commission indicated the item will return on a future meeting agenda for further deliberation or decision once supplemental materials are submitted.

The commission did not make a final land‑use decision at the April 9 meeting; the hearing remains open and continued pending additional traffic documentation, DOT sight‑line approvals as applicable, and WPCA confirmations.