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Crown Point mixed-use plan revision draws more vegetation, a construction bridge and continued hearing
Summary
Developer presented a revised plan that combines grocer and retail buildings, removes a southern development pad, adds screening and eight townhouse units as a buffer. Hawks Ridge residents and commission requested more details on wetland/stream restoration, sewer relocation and traffic; the hearing was continued.
The commission continued the public hearing on a proposed planned development district for the Crown Point parcels at 0 Bridgeport Avenue and 48 Long Hill Crossroads after the applicant filed revised plans and made late adjustments intended to address neighborhood concerns.
Attorney Dominic Thomas told the commission the developer removed the southerly commercial pad, “strengthened substantially and enhanced substantially the buffer with Green Giant Arborvitae along Long Hill Crossroads,” and revised the plan to combine the grocery and retail buildings into one larger structure. Architect Pat Rose and civil engineer Manny Silva presented the updated site plan showing a 26,181-square-foot grocer plus additional multi-tenant retail space, two small restaurant pads (one with a possible drive-through), and a hotel parcel; they also showed an access route from Crown Point Center that would cross wetlands by an open-bottom culvert/bridge for initial construction access.
Why it matters: The project is sizable and requires multiple off-site traffic improvements and state approvals. The applicant said the state traffic authority (OSTA) will require major off-site work and that the project team is pursuing a bridge/culvert alignment that could route construction traffic off Long Hill Crossroads. The applicant also described ongoing exchanges with the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) about relocating a sewer line; Manny Silva said WPCA comments were nearly resolved and that final site development plans will include required details.
Public comments and neighborhood response: Brian McCann, attorney for the Hawks Ridge neighborhood, said the revised plan was “a dramatic improvement,” praising the buffer, the conservation easement and the commitment to limit construction access from Long Hill Crossroads to an early phase (the applicant offered about five-and-a-half months of limited construction access before switching to the Crown Point entrance). Hawks Ridge asked for limits on after-hours use of the no-build peninsula and a preference for native plantings over non-native Green Giant Arborvitae.
Technical questions and outstanding items: Commissioners pressed for more detail on retaining-wall cross-sections, pedestrian connections and the length and height of bridge/culvert spans. Manny Silva said the largest proposed arch span reaches roughly 12 feet above the creek bed in places and that three clear-span precast arch bridges are proposed for the site’s drainage crossings. The engineering team described stormwater controls (three underground galleries) and a stream-restoration approach intended to reduce sediment delivery from existing state roadway outfalls.
Outcome: The commission voted 6-0 to continue the public hearing so staff can accept any additional materials and the commission can review the revised plans and neighborhood input. The applicant will return with more-detailed cross-sections, the WPCA submittal status and final wetland-submission materials.
What’s next: The applicant and Hawks Ridge said they will keep negotiating design details and buffer plant lists. The hearing remains open; commissioners emphasized they want final engineering, wetland restoration plans and clearer sightline/traffic data before taking a decision.
