MIDDLETOWN, CT — After receiving multiple letters opposing a proposed trucking terminal in the city of Middletown, the Planning and Zoning Commission denied the proposed application.
On June 22, Middletown’s Planning and Zoning Commission denied a proposed 8,100 square-foot trucking terminal with eight loading docks on Timer Ridge Road.
The vote to deny the proposed project was unanimous.
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Charles Willinger, representing the applicant Harpreet Sandhu/TBS Plus, LLC., said the application is for a family business of a truck terminal. He said the location would have 28 cars and 23 truck parking spaces.
“This is more than enough because the applicant has 15 trucks,” Willinger said.
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Commissioner Thom Pattavina agreed with Commissioner Sebastian Giuliano when he said a trucking terminal is all allowed in the IT zone through a special exception. However, he said he doesn’t believe the application meets the eight standards required for a special exception.
Commissioner Tyler Eckstrom said they wouldn’t know the true environmental impact until the project is built; he also said he doesn’t see how this business fits into Middletown and wouldn’t be voting in support of the application.
During the P&Z commission meeting, several residents living near the proposed location for the trucking terminal spoke out in opposition to the proposed project.
Selena Weiss told the commissioners that the project would adversely affect the health and safety of the neighborhood residents. Cheryl Walsh said the project would depreciate property values and affect the neighborhood’s character. Kinnaresh Ozra told the commissioners that there are already too many trucks and is concerned about safety in the area.
Willinger responded to the public’s comments, stating he understands why the nearby residents want to keep the land vacant, but he said the commission needed to base their decision on what the regulations say and if the use is allowed in the zone.
“As for the adverse effects, their arguments are based on fear and speculation,” Willinger said. “They don’t have experts to testify on this.”
“The comments made by the public were not based on far and speculation,” Commissioner Catherine Johnson said. “They were speaking from experience. Also, not once did I hear the public use the term open space to describe the property.”
For Commissioner Kelly Sweeney, the trucking company could use other properties available in the city for the business.
“I hope the applicant will find a place in Middletown,” she said.
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