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Danbury planners close hearing on 55 Newtown Road drive‑through after applicant defends traffic plan
Summary
The Danbury Planning Commission closed the public hearing for a proposed fast‑food restaurant and drive‑through at 55 Newtown Road after the applicant and engineers defended the site’s circulation and opposed a small traffic ‘bump out’ suggested by the city traffic reviewer. Commissioners expressed no objections and moved the item into old business for possible action.
The Danbury Planning Commission on March 5 closed the public hearing for a special‑exception site plan for a fast‑food restaurant with a drive‑through at 55 Newtown Road and moved the application into old business for further consideration.
Attorney Tom Beecher, representing 55 and Plum Trees Plaza LLC, told the commission the revised plan complies with zoning special‑exception standards and said the project would not cause significant traffic, congestion, or public‑safety problems. "This proposed project complies with the zoning regulations and the special exception standards," Beecher said.
The city traffic reviewer suggested adding a small raised island or “bump out” that would slightly impinge on a bank bypass/drive‑through lane. Benjamin Dodo, the project’s licensed professional engineer, displayed the site plan and a sketch from the reviewer and argued that existing controls — a stop sign, do‑not‑enter signs and a pedestrian crosswalk — and the current two‑way internal driveway provide adequate circulation. "I don't feel this is warranted," Dodo said of the bump out, adding the design allows a smooth flow and that the team would accept the change only if the commission required it.
Architect Ben Gingrich of HSP Architects echoed the engineer’s view that the bump out is unnecessary and that the design preserves convenient access around the bank branch without creating impediments.
Commissioners who spoke during the old‑business discussion said they shared the staff and applicant’s view that the bump out could be awkward and that the proposed traffic controls should slow vehicles. Commissioner Bob said he saw no issues with the plan; Commissioner Eric (Sylvain) said he was pleased the traffic flow had been returned to the original plan; Commissioner Helen also agreed there were as many reasons not to add the bump out as to add it.
The public hearing record shows no speakers in opposition at the hearing. The commission closed the public hearing by motion and moved the item to item 2 under old business for discussion and possible action; no final approval or denial of the site plan was recorded at this meeting. The commission will take up continued review at its next scheduled meetings as the agenda and staff process require.
