Expansion of Nursing Home Lot Concerns Neighbors
NEWINGTON - A local nursing home and rehabilitation center is looking to expand, but the parking lot that is supposed to come with it is getting some scrutiny from nearby neighbors.

       New Britain Avenue-based Bel-Air Manor associates is putting on a 12,000-square foot addition that will require 40 new parking spaces. Alan Bongiovanni, land surveyor for the project, presented the plan on behalf of the applicant at a public hearing held during the Town Planning and Zoning (TPZ) Commission’s Sept. 9 meeting. The hearing was continued after nearby residents expressed concerns regarding perceived impact to traffic flow and aesthetics.

       Bongiovanni returned to the TPZ at its Sept. 24 meeting with a completed traffic study--information that was requested by Commissioners at the previous hearing. According to the Newington Police Department’s own statistics, there have been three accidents in the area over the past five years, he said.

       â€"It’s a good 90-degree T intersection,” Bongiovanni said. â€"Sightlines are on both sides and it would make a good place for a driveway. There was nothing in the police report to indicate otherwise.”

       But residents, some of whom signed a petition against the addition of the parking lot, came out to the Sept. 24 meeting to voice some of the same concerns.

       Traffic safety is one issue, particularly when it comes to vehicles pulling into the building’s front entrance, but noise pollution is another concern, said New Britain Avenue resident Beng Kwan.

       â€"The residents don’t want blaring sirens, or flashing lights--especially not at night,” Kwan said.

       The expansion will increase the number of beds at Bel Air to 116--well below the maximum 210, Bongiovanni said. The addition will also require the hiring of 10 more staff members.

       â€"We’re well within the regulations,” he said.

       Additional residents will not increase traffic because many do not drive, Bongiovanni said.

       â€"Those people don’t have cars,” he said. â€"This is a residential use.”

       Bel Air Manor is currently there by special permit.
MORE NEWINGTON NEWS  |  STORY BY MARK DIPAOLA  |  Oct 13 2015  |  COMMENTS?