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Commissioners approve Southington school site plan adding courts, lighting and underground stormwater system
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to approve SPR 1917, a site plan for Southington Public Schools at 720 Pleasant Street to replace existing tennis courts and a grass field with new tennis courts, athletic court lighting, parking and an underground stormwater detention system.
Southington commissioners voted to approve a site plan (SPR 1917) that will remove existing tennis courts and a grass field at 720 Pleasant Street and install new tennis courts, athletic court lighting, associated parking and an underground stormwater detention system.
The plan, presented by Chris Hulk, director of design and construction for Field Turf, received a roll-call approval after commissioners discussed drainage, safety and aesthetics. The commission’s approval followed staff sign-offs on engineering comments and no public testimony for or against the project.
Hulk told the commission that the major change since the last meeting was the addition of an underground stormwater detention system on the west side of a bank of three tennis courts to meet newer drainage and water-quality requirements. He said safety features added to the plan include split-rail fencing around the detention basin, and grading adjustments to improve drainage.
Commissioners pressed on site details. The applicant said sight lines at the access exceed 650 feet in both directions and the proposed sign will be set a minimum of 15 feet from the roadway. Commissioners also asked whether the sidewalk along Pleasant Street would remain; the applicant confirmed it would.
On maintenance and access, commissioners raised concerns that a guardrail around the detention area should allow mower access and not create a space where trash would accumulate. The applicant described a two-rail wooden guardrail with gaps and clearance allowing equipment to reach the basin for routine upkeep.
Commissioners also discussed the risk of balls from adjacent fields striking vehicles parked near the right-field fence. The applicant said there is approximately 35 feet from the fence line to the start of the parking area, a six-foot fence in front of the spaces, and that additional netting could be installed later if it became necessary. The fence along the right-field parking is planned as a six-foot metal picket style with about four-inch spacing for a more finished appearance than chain link.
After brief discussion, a commissioner moved to approve SPR 1917; the motion was seconded and staff called the roll. Commissioners McGuire, Lawrence, Kohl's, Britain, Bougie and Cher Wowski voted yes and the chair declared the motion carried. The approval was a formal site-plan endorsement; the record shows no public speakers for or against the application.
Staff reported no administrative items but noted receipt of an application for netting at Chris Cody’s golf range to be scheduled for review. The commission adjourned following that business item.
