SOSA | AvalonBay: Concerns of Stratford Residents

The proposed AvalonBay "affordable housing" development in Stratford, Ct raises the following concerns among town residents.

Disruption of the ecosystem of Cook's Pond, Pumpkin Brook and surrounding wetlands.
Fire: AvalonBay properties have a history of being prone to flash fires.
The designation of Circle Drive as an emergency access road to the complex; Circle Drive is a semi-conforming street that is too narrow to accomdate large emergency equipment. It is also located north of the Merritt Parkway underpass.
Pollution: water, ground, air, noise, and articficial light.
Cutspring Road is the only access to the development and offers only one lane each way through a narrow 11' 6" underpass.
The low clearance of the bridge mimimizes access of the large fire equipment under poor weather conditions. Snow, ice or frost heaves could prevent fire equipment from reaching the complex in an emergency.
Inappropriateness of 4.5 story buildings constructed in an area zoned for one and two story single family homes.
During construction the huge equipment would block the underpass restricting access for many homes. The low clearance and narrow passage under the bridge requires large vehicles to drive in the center of the road.
Addition of 320+ cars to an already dangerous intersection area.
Poor driving visibility when exiting the complex caused by Merrit Parkway underpass.
Already unsafe walking and bike riding situation due to lack of sidewalks and narrow road. Additional traffic will make this even more dangerous.
Lack of vistor parking in Avalon Proposal. The Cutspring/Circle Drive area cannot support street parking.
Blasting will be necessary in order to add underground gas lines and utilities to the developement. This could cause damage to the surrounding homes and the Merritt Parkway.
Environmental concerns from the pollutants/oil residue in the runoff water from the complex parking lot.
Potential for flooding of Merritt Parkway underpass from parking lot runoff.
Inability of Sewage Pump Stations in Pumpkin/Barrister & Sun Ridge areas to handle additional volumes.
Potential for pollution of Cook's Pond if sewer line breaks.
Health issues caused by huge amounts of garbage created by complex, such as odor, rodents and leakage.
Blocking of sunlight to area homes and the environment by huge 4.5 story buildings.
Effect on the beauty of the historic Merritt Parkway by constructing 4.5 story buildings adjacent to it. Bushes cannot hide buildings of that size.
Moving vans unable to get through underpass. Moving vans must park at the base of Tavern Rock Road causing a dangerous traffic situation.
Potential addition of 160 to 400+ students to the Chapel Street, Flood, and Bunnel schools causing overcrowding.

AvalonBay In Stratford: Concerns of Local Residents