By Sarah Opdahl

At their meeting on Tuesday, October 14, New Fairfield’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC) approved moving forward to a 50% design of the bus lot at 302 Ball Pond Road, following review of a preliminary concept drawing. The next, more complete design will include some suggestions from PBC members, including a higher quantity and more varied plan for landscape screening than is currently on the concept plan.

It was noted that the preliminary drawing is based on the one created by consultant Mr. Ben Doto, who completed an extensive study on lot options in the past year. A hallmark of Doto’s drawing was a primary drive that came off of Gillotti Road, rather than Ball Pond Road, about which there was  heavy backlash from neighbors. There were questions regarding the drive and whether it was intended for one way or two-way driving;  whether or not to include  an exit/entrance or emergency egress from Ball Pond Road—for now it is staying in the plan; whether to add an inlet in the northeast corner to tie back into the pipes that were installed; and, in terms of the curbs, it was agreed to keep them with the landscaping, which is also a requirement for Zoning.  The plan is to “move the driveway as close as possible to the parking lot to maximize green space.”

There was an in-depth explanation of the curbs and drainage for the lot, including pitches, catch basins, and the landscaping that is intended. It was noted that stormwater calculations will be part of the forthcoming 50% set of designs. A conversation about the bus building’s size and whether it was ample was had—JCJ Architecture’s Ms. Christine O’Hare reminded the PBC that the current building design size was in place since the original Zoning application submission. There was also a discussion about the landscaped islands in the drawing and whether they are necessary. Colliers International’s Mr. Mark Schweitzer will ask the Town Zoning Enforcement Officer Mr. Evan White for his thoughts on the necessity of the islands in the lot, per zoning requirements. Chair Mr. Don Kellogg said, “let’s reach out and ask the question… we want to avoid as much controversy as possible with this application.”

The elementary school playground is still in flux, as there are additional laboratory permeability tests being performed on the soil samples, which, ideally, will help indicate fault for the playground’s issues. In the lab, tests will mimic the actual field conditions with moisture and density readings and they will compact it to achieve a similar condition. It was explained that the tests will better point to the reasoning behind the pooling that occurred on the play surface and what caused the drainage problems. Schweitzer clarified, “There is currently no ponding. This is a condition that existed okay before the replacement…” It was noted that many improvements were made to the underlayment with the new installation.

The playground just went through a curing process and is ready to be inspected. Schweitzer explained that the playground’s  previous inspector declined to complete the work, but they have secured a different inspector.

The next regular New Fairfield Permanent Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 7:30 p.m.