Stratford commission sets public hearing for 24‑unit Cuttspring Road townhouse plan

The Stratford Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission voted to hold a public hearing on a proposed residential condominium project on Cuttspring Road that would create about 24 townhouse units. The hearing was scheduled for Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. (venue to be confirmed) after commissioners cited strong public interest and written opposition.

Engineer Manny Silva summarized the project and stormwater design, noting buildings would sit outside the 100‑foot upland review area with a temporary intrusion of roughly 10 feet for a sewer extension. Silva told commissioners the temporary disturbance is approximately 90 feet from the wetland and that construction would use erosion controls, silt sacks and a large underground gallery system (about 13,000 cubic feet) to manage runoff.

Commissioners asked about the sewer extension length, depth and potential effect on groundwater. Silva said the sewer would be a 6‑inch line and that trenching is a temporary disturbance; he said the installed pipe does not materially affect groundwater flow after construction. Commissioners also noted 24 written oppositions and petitions with 48 signatures—factors leading to the decision to hold a public hearing and to arrange a site visit so commissioners can inspect the property prior to the hearing.

Next steps: staff will publicly notice the hearing and arrange a site visit (to be noticed separately because a quorum will attend). The planning commission and other town departments will review the project on their schedules; the wetlands commission indicated it will limit its review to wetland and upland review area impacts.