ANA Crane satellite plan for Surf Avenue continued after stormwater, parking concerns

The Stratford Zoning Commission on June 24 continued a petitioner’s request to redevelop multiple parcels at 348 Surf Avenue into a satellite contractors’ yard for ANA Crane and Rigging, citing unresolved coastal site and parking items.

Attorney Robert Rosati and consultant Manny Silva described plans to clean up a former monument‑manufacturing site, remove a dilapidated garage, replace asphalt with compacted crushed stone for crane parking, and install silt fences, anti‑tracking pads and other erosion controls to protect a brook and the coastal buffer. Rosati and Silva said the cranes would be parked and not operated at the site; hours were described as generally 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with rare emergency calls.

Staff flagged recent Coastal/Waterfront comments recommending permeable pavement and on‑site stormwater retention and noted crushed gravel may compact and behave as impervious surface for DCIA calculations. Commissioners and staff requested impervious/DCIA calculations, wetlands/coastal sign‑offs, confirmation of parking standards (town staff noted a 48‑space standard that may be discretionary) and public safety circulation input from police and fire.

Rosati and Silva said they would provide additional documentation, revise narratives to match plans and follow the inland wetlands and erosion control conditions; the commission voted to continue the item to the July 22 meeting to allow staff to review those materials.

Next steps: The applicant must submit impervious/DCIA calculations, inland‑wetlands sign‑off or permit conditions, an updated parking narrative/plan and any requested emergency management/storm contingency details before July 22 so staff can prepare recommended conditions for the commission’s consideration.