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Litchfield panel approves 72-space student parking lot at Lakeview High School
Summary
The Litchfield Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a site plan for a 72-space student parking lot at Region 20 Lakeview High School, citing safety after a DOT audit found the existing roadside parking did not meet signal criteria. Construction will regrade the site and use temporary jersey barriers until new timber guard rails are installed.
The Litchfield Planning and Zoning Commission on June 15 approved a site plan for a 72-car student parking lot at Region 20 Lakeview High School, saying an on-campus lot is the safest option after students parked across Route 202 in locations the town and school described as unsafe. The motion to approve the plan was made by Commissioner P. Losee, seconded by S. Simonin, and carried unanimously.
The application, presented by school maintenance representative Dan Hamilton and Town Engineer Raz Alexe, described a reduced plan from 75 to 72 spaces. The lot will be constructed of packed gravel topped with asphalt; the existing 9% slope will be reduced to about 4% through the addition of fill. Drainage from the lot will be directed across the driveway to a plunge pool, and an interlocking block retaining wall will protect the soccer field on the south side. Six trees along the driveway will be removed. Wheel stops will be installed in the front and back parking spaces.
A comprehensive safety audit conducted by the state Department of Transportation found the site did not meet the eight-element criteria required for installation of a traffic signal, the commission was told; commissioners and applicants said creating an on-site parking lot was the only practical local remedy to the roadside parking and pedestrian safety problem. The plan anticipates two school safety officers positioned at the entrance and exit during peak times to assist students crossing while buses and other vehicles are entering and exiting. Access to the lot will be limited to students with parking permits.
Temporary concrete jersey barriers will be placed along the north and south sides of the new lot; the approval conditions require the temporary barriers ultimately be replaced with 10-by-10 pressure-treated timber posts and guard rails to match the school’s existing parking-lot fencing once funds are available. No crosswalk markings were proposed at the time of review.
The commission conditioned approval on the replacement of the temporary barriers with timber guard rails consistent with the motion. The application record lists the property as MLB# 083-067-028.
