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Planning commission backs Stratford roundabout proposal despite one dissent
Summary
The Stratford Planning Commission voted 4–1 to issue a favorable recommendation to Town Council for partial property acquisitions to build a roundabout at Stratford Avenue and Honey Spot Road, citing Complete Streets goals and a prior traffic study; one commissioner asked for clearer cost/benefit data.
The Stratford Planning Commission voted 4–1 on June 18 to recommend that Town Council approve negotiated property acquisitions needed to build a roundabout at the Stratford Avenue and Honey Spot Road intersection.
Sarah Graham, chairman of the Stratford Planning Commission, opened the item and asked Town Planner Sismitha Atada to summarize the referral. Atada said the project, funded by DLT, is intended to calm traffic with a roundabout rather than a traffic signal and would include a Stratford gateway sign, landscaping and accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists. "I think this will be a long term benefit for the town," Atada said, adding the plan aligns with the town Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).
The planner told commissioners that roundabouts typically require additional right of way and that staff negotiated partial property acquisitions with neighboring owners to accommodate the design. Atada said most owners had agreed but that one property owner had not been willing to participate.
Commissioners discussed where multimodal facilities would be located and whether a traffic or crash study justified the project. Max Doolin asked for the background and whether the proposal was driven by documented safety problems. Atada pointed commissioners to a corridor study conducted by Metro COG with consultant FHI Studio that contains traffic data and crash analysis and said project findings are available on the planning and zoning web page. "There was a study done for Stratford Avenue, Honey Spot Road, and Lodcher Boulevard," she said.
Alec Pecola moved a favorable recommendation, calling the proposal consistent with POCD mobility objectives; the motion was seconded and passed 4–1. Commissioner Doolin said he remained concerned about the lack of explicit cost/benefit numbers in the packet and asked that traffic-impact and fiscal data be made clear before Council action.
What’s next: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to Town Council as a referral. The record shows the commission offered a favorable recommendation; Council will make the final decision on acquisitions and design and any funding commitments.
