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Applicant proposes lumber sales and tree service at 284 Willimantic Road; DOT requests wider sight lines
Summary
Brandon Elliot presented a revised site plan for a lumber sales and tree service at 284 Willimantic Road (Business zoning). Connecticut State DOT has asked for wider entrance cutouts pending sight-line approval; the applicant described limited weekend hours, security measures and sanitary arrangements. The public hearing was closed with no public comment and no final decision.
Brandon Elliot, the property owner and applicant, presented a revised site plan on March 12 for a proposed lumber sales and tree service at 284 Willimantic Road in Chaplin’s Business zoning district. Doug Dubitsky called the public hearing to order at 7:00 PM and legal notice publication was confirmed.
The applicant told the Planning & Zoning Commission that the Connecticut State Department of Transportation asked for wider entrance cutouts and that sight-line approval from DOT is still pending. The revised plan adds one designated handicap parking space and places a sign near the property fence; the applicant said there is no fixed office on the site and that sales would be limited to Fridays and Saturdays, noting he might seek to open other days only if zoning allows and if nighttime lighting is avoided per zoning restrictions.
Alternate Commissioner Jim McPherson questioned security and on-site sanitation. Elliot described a tall fence with a gate that would be closed at night and said the plan could include solar floodlights or cameras; he said employees typically work off-site doing tree work and that, if needed, a port-a-potty could be placed for employee use only and concealed from public view. McPherson also asked whether employees would use a nearby convenience store restroom; Elliot said that option had been discussed. Zoning Enforcement Officer Jay Gigliotti reported that staff have reviewed multiple revisions to the plan since January to address town and DOT comments.
The hearing was opened for public comment; no members of the public were present. Member Pete Fiasconaro moved to close the public hearing at 7:30 PM; the motion was seconded by Helen Weingart and carried unanimously. No formal decision on the permit application was made at the hearing and the record remains open to the extent necessary for DOT sight-line approval and staff review. Application materials are available at Chaplin Town Hall and on the town website.
