Planner updates commission on Complete Streets and Greenway phases; Max Doolin named representative

Town Planner Sismita Atota updated the Stratford Planning Commission on the Town’s Complete Streets and Greenway work and asked the commission to name a liaison to the combined Greenway and Complete Streets Committee.

Atota said Phase 1 — from Harvey Place to the Main Street/Barnum Avenue intersection — is complete and in implementation but temporarily paused for weather; Phase 1 includes painted bike lanes and pedestrian accommodations. Phase 2, she said, runs north of Barnum Avenue to Wilcoxon Avenue and includes Greenway connections near Elm Street. “This is a DOT-funded project and the right of way belongs to the DOT,” Atota said, noting the town must secure DOT approval for many elements.

At a recent stakeholder meeting, businesses near Paradise Green expressed concerns about a bike lane located immediately in front of angled parking; Atota said the planning team is revisiting options to balance bicyclist safety and on-street parking needs.

The commission appointed Maxwell (Max) Doolin as the planning commission’s representative to the subcommittee; he will attend monthly meetings (first Wednesday at noon) and report back to the commission.

Next steps: staff will continue consultant work to refine bike-lane alignment, seek DOT approvals where required, and the subcommittee will hold regular meetings to develop implementation recommendations for the commission.