Rocky Hill Planning & Zoning Will Hear More Info On River's Edge Proposal Wednesday Night

The River's Edge proposal for the site of the Connecticut Foundry will continue Wednesday night when the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear from the public and the applicants in their meeting.

Rocky Hill attorney Michael Romano along with a team of architects and designers gave a lengthy presentation for their vision of the River's Edge Project at the site of the former Connecticut Foundry at the last Planning and Zoning Commission. Last Wednesday, the team made another presentation to the Open Space and Conservation Commission.

Local activist Ed Chiucarello of the Rocky Hill Riverfront Preservation Society said there is a substantial amount of work to do on the proposal but he likes what he sees.

"They still have some work to do," Chiucarello said. "The ownership of the park and the ownership of the walkway are still up in the air. That is not something the P&Z will be able to decide. That will have to be decided by the Town Council. They have to do something with that and amend the agreement."

Chiucarello also said there is still no resolution with the piers that stand out in the water. 

"Those piers are not even in the plan right now," he said. "Obviously they have to be put in the plan. Whether they are going to take them down or make the walkway span out to them and have a lookout, which has to be spelled out. It is unsafe right now.

"My sense is they were hoping to address it down the road. It's like the three towers that are there. The towers are in the plan and it says they will knock down the towers once they are approved. Again, the plan will have to be amended to say what they are going to do and who is going to take ownership." 

Some of the highlights of the project:

• A riverwalk that could extend past the project at the southern most part
• The parking structures will be below the residential buildings
• There will be additional parking in a lot along the street and up Glastonbury Road
• There will be extensive sidewalks and landscaping installed
• All utilities will go from above ground to below ground
• There will be bio-retention centers to filter water before it returns to the Connecticut River
• There will be a amphitheater in the Tulisano Park
• There will be a water feature in the Tulisano Park
• Retail will feature a terrace for outdoor dining or gathering on the northern most side of building one.

"Both commissions have done a great job Chiucarello added. "The residents are lucky and they have been well-served by both commissions. They are asking good questions and I think it's a great idea that they asked to have a site walk down there. They are doing a lot of work and making the applicant meet all of the needs of the town."