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South Windsor OKs McDonald’s basin fix, delays Cussin Automotive plan amid Route 5 safety concerns
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a McDonald’s detention‑basin modification and brief lot‑line revision with bonds, but tabled the Cussin Automotive site plan for two weeks after A & S Boats raised concerns about a narrow Route 5 median and easement access; the commission ordered a site visit and DOT outreach.
The South Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission on July 14 approved a site modification for McDonald’s at 769 John Fitch Blvd that relocates and upgrades the detention/infiltration basin and adjusts a property line, but postponed a related Cussin Automotive site‑plan application for further review of access onto Route 5.
Jay Ursree of J.R. Russo & Associates presented both projects together. He said McDonald’s will receive roughly 9,000 square feet by a land swap that will reduce McDonald’s impervious coverage to about 64 percent and remove four parking spaces; the company’s engineers redesigned the basin to meet current infiltration and stormwater standards.
The commission’s approval of Application 26‑19P included standard conditions and the Inland Wetlands/Conservation Commission requirements: a bond of $5,000 for erosion and sedimentation measures and $20,000 for stormwater structures. The motion also granted a four‑space parking modification and required new deeds be filed to reflect the lot‑line revision.
Owner Mark Pessieri of A & S Boats spoke during public comment opposing the proposed Cussin access and said the design forces large vehicles to cross a narrow median on Route 5. "If you're crossing across there with a bus or a truck, you're not going to be able to stop and wait for northbound traffic," Pessieri said, arguing the previously shown 100‑foot road alignment would be safer.
Jay Ursree and staff replied that a 30‑foot access easement appears in land records dating to the subdivision approval filed around 1979–1980 and that a partial driveway currently exists. Nevertheless, multiple commissioners expressed concern that the Route 5 crossing could allow unsafe movements for heavy vehicles.
The commission agreed to postpone Application 26‑18P (Cussin Automotive) for two weeks, schedule a site visit, and ask staff to contact the state DOT and local police for input on whether median closure or signage is permissible. Staff noted the commission has up to 65 days to act on the site plan and can return it to the agenda after the site review.
The McDonald’s motion passed on a voice vote; the Cussin application was tabled for additional study and a site visit.
The commission also asked the applicant to consider signage instructing employees and customers to turn right out of the access and to examine whether additional landscaping or traffic‑control measures on local approaches could reduce risk.
