Environmental Concerns Raised Over Jelliff Mill Proposal

The proposed housing unit at 41 and 47 Jelliff Mill Road would result in “serious adverse effects to the Noroton River and the Long Island Sound," according to Beth Evans, principal and senior ecologist at Evans Associates, an environmental consulting firm.

Evans spoke on behalf of John Getz, an attorney representing Peter Wray, a resident of Bickford Lane in opposition to the building, at a meeting held by the Inland Wetlands Commission at  Monday night.

The proposal, which was submitted on Dec. 23 to by Bill Gardiner and Judy Larson, involves the creation of 16-unit housing development with 28 bedrooms and an adjacent building on 1.4 acres that would require the demolition of the existing property. Five of the proposed units would be affordable housing as required by a state statute.

The concerns over the proposed building include ground and surface water, flood plain issues and safety issues.

described soil conditions as ideal, Evans says the soil is fine and sandy, which could lead to flooding when combined with shallow ground water. The site is also said to be a heavily trafficked area in the town and, as it is not on a town sewer, the septic systems in place will face challenges with the new developments. In the instance of a strong storm, the experts said there is a possibility of flooding, pavement breaking, and sewage and nitrogen polluting the water quality and aquatic life of the river and Long Island Sound, which the Noroton River feeds into.

According to Getz, the complaint against this building, a historical location in New Canaan, is site specific. “There could not be a worse place in New Canaan for this development,” he said.

Much of the concerns revolve around the increased use of water by the proposed 16-unit development. Leaving a house on the property would not cause a significant change, however, adding a development with 28 bedrooms would flow 2,200 gallons of water per day, according to Curt Jones, a civil engineer also speaking on Getz's behalf.

At 10 p.m. the Commission opened the hearing to the public. Lisa Smith, a resident of Jelliff Mill Road, presented a petition with 99 signatures from surrounding residents opposing the development.

Tim McCarthy, a resident across the street of the Jelliff Mill site in question, says he is concerned about water quality for the neighboring residents. “This presentation showed some compelling risks,” he said. “There is a tipping point to things that can’t be overlooked. We have to protect our environment.”

The final public hearing and a rebuttal presentation by Gardiner and Larson’s team will be scheduled for the end of March.