Montville ― The Planning and Zoning Commission has approved site plans for a new fishing pier and boat launch at 55 Dock Road.

The commission voted 7-0 in favor of the project at a meeting Tuesday. Commissioners Bruce Duchesneau and John Estelle were absent from the meeting.

Kyle Haubert from CLA Engineers, the town’s engineer, said once the proper permits are acquired, the project can go out to bid in late winter or early next spring.

Eimy Quispe, an environmental analyst with the Land and Water Resources Division of the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) wrote in a letter to the commission that there will need to be a few, small changes to comply with the policies and standards of the Connecticut Coastal Management Act (CCMA).

Quispe’s recommended adding signage “at a minimum” at the street entrance to the site and the parking lot, if not already included in the plan. Haubert said in an email response that there is room on site to add the appropriate signage.

She was also concerned about the new parking lot surface and its impact on runoff water, as well as measures to control erosion. Haubert said that the proposed water quality basin is there for the water runoff and that “erosion control measures and construction details are included on the project plans and shall be installed prior to construction.“

Her last concern was over the required permits, which Haubert said he and the town are in the process of acquiring.

The project is estimated to cost $525,000 for the boat launch renovations alone, for which the town will be entirely responsible. Mayor Ron McDaniel previously said that the town will “try to chase” a Build Back Better grant to offset the cost of the boat launch.

The fishing pier, parking lot and associated site improvements ― such as trash cans and lighting fixtures ― is estimated to cost $885,000. Grant funding from DEEP will cover 75% of this portion of the project, leaving the town responsible for the remaining 25%, or an estimated $221,250. The town’s Finance Committee and Town Council approved the expenditure at the beginning of October.

Haubert, who was on-hand Tuesday to present the project to the commission for a second time, called it “a huge benefit for the town.” He had addressed the commission in late September when the commission gave a favorable review of the proposed site.

“I think this is a fabulous project,” said Commissioner and Secretary John Desjardins.

Haubert said the project is broken into three components: the boat launch replacement, the parking lot reconstruction and the fishing per construction.

The boat launch will be reconstructed in the same location, but extended further with a longer run of concrete panels into the river for residents to get their boats into the water easier. There will also be a new, 40-foot long and 8-foot wide wooden floating dock adjacent to the launch.

The renovated parking lot will allow for 19 vehicles and seven trailers. A concrete sidewalk will run in front of the parking spaces for safe access to the facilities. The storm water runoff will flow into a water quality basin, full of vegetation, to filter the water before it goes into the river. Seven solar lights will be scattered scattered around the parking lot. There is no easy access to power at the location, so solar was the best choice, Haubert explained.

Commissioners Anthony Siragusa and Chuck Longton were concerned that seven spots would not be enough trailer parking, as they believe there isn’t enough parking in the lot’s current condition. Haubert said they have “maxed out” the parking spaces for the site and “would absolutely grab every spot that we could“ for parking.

The 136-foot long fishing pier will have two octagonal platforms at the end. The shape came as a recommendation from DEEP and is based on a similar pier in New Haven. The octagons will be 16 feet long on each side for people to sit and stand while they fish.

The entire site will be ADA accessible and will include benches, signage and trash bins.

k.arnold@theday.com