Politics & Government
Proposed Connector Road Could Improve Haynes Road Emergency Access, Officials Say
Part of Sunlight Construction's proposal for a 39-lot housing cluster development includes a public road that would connect Haynes Road and Lenox Road in Avon.
Neighbors to a proposed 39-lot housing cluster subdivision on Lenox Road have previously voiced concerns that a public road in developer Sunlight Construction's plan could become a busy cut-thru.
But town and fire officials also see a benefit of connecting Haynes and Lenox Roads because it would add emergency access to Haynes.
Currently, the only entry point for an emergency vehicle on Haynes Road is from West Avon Road. Haynes Road loops around in a circle. Springbrook Road and Knoll Lane are attached to Haynes, but both have cul-de-sacs that don't connect to other streets.
"The original intention of the Haynes Road area was to have another point of access," Avon Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Trick wrote in a letter to town planning officials on Oct. 6. "The density of houses was allowed with this intention. The master plan for this area shows the proposed connection for several decades. The water system, including fire hydrants, would be connected to close a larger loop and this will ensure better flow if needed."
A connecting road would enhance emergency response time to the area, Trick wrote in the letter, which Avon Town Planner Steve Kushner read aloud at the last public hearing for the proposal.
For instance, during the October snowstorm in 2011, firefighters responded to a chimney fire in the "Haynes Road area," Trick said in the letter. Trees that fell while units were on scene blocked at least one firetruck from entering.
"During the period of time Public Works worked to clear the road, the apparatus were unable to respond to other emergencies," Trick wrote in the letter.
More recently, Haynes Road was blocked off for several hours due to a structure fire last fourth of July, preventing residents from entering or exiting the road.
From a public safety standpoint, Kushner said that many people can understand the need for more than one entrance to Haynes Road, which has 80 homes on it.
Avon's fire marshal and town assessor, who are tasked with reviewing proposed names for new roads, have concerns Stratfordshire Ridge, the name Sunlight Construction has proposed for the public connector road, Kushner said.
“We try to pick a name that’s unique to public safety reasons," Kushner said.
In addition to assessing how applications fit zoning regulation, Kushner said that the commission also must consider public safety. That includes safe roads, traffic circulation and ensuring parcels aren't "landlocked," according to Kushner.“You need a reasonable, safe system of roadways in order to maintain public safety," Kushner said.
As for the concern about the road increasing traffic, Sunlight Construction's traffic engineer said that would not likely be the case. The town of Avon hired its own traffic engineer to review the submitted traffic study and the findings will likely be discussed at Tuesday's Planning and Zoning meeting.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a second public hearing on the housing development proposal Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Avon Volunteer Fire Department Company 1 firehouse at 25 Darling Dr.
It's possible that the commission could vote on the application.
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