Questions remain unanswered in development plan

Some council members criticize the law department for not being available.
By TIM YOVICH
Vindicator Trumbull Staff
WARREN -- Residents didn't get many questions answered about a possible development on the southeast portion of the city that they are concerned will congest traffic.
The area is located east, south and southeast of St. Joseph Health Center that is generally bounded by Eastland Avenue, East Heights Street and Country Club Drive South.
Two property owners at Eastland and Sussex Street, which only exists on paper, want to vacate Sussex. If city council agrees, Sussex couldn't be used as a public access road when developed.
Area residents attending a Monday meeting of council's sewers/water pollution control committee and engineering, building and planning committee didn't get many answers.
Randy Thorne, project manager with Silverland's Realty LLC that owns 60 acres in the area, said he opposed the vacation of Sussex because the owner doesn't know how it would affect plans. However, Thorne explained that Silverland's doesn't have any plans for the acreage.
No trust
Sherry Nuzzi, a spokeswoman for the residents, said property owners living around the acreage don't trust Silverland's.
Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, said he wants some guidance from the law department on the vacation issue.
Others joined Fonce, complaining about the lack of cooperation of the law department in meeting about the vacation of Sussex.
Councilman Vincent E. Flask, D-5th, said the law department was invited to Monday's meeting but nobody showed up.
Councilman Robert Holmes III, D-4th, suggested that if the law department doesn't want to cooperate, its budget can be reduced.
Thorne said the developer can't formulate a plan because nobody knows what's going on with the paper street.
Nuzzi said she will not meet exclusively with the developer, but would if appropriate city officials attend. She noted that she wouldn't agree to anything unless fellow residents agree.
Study suggested
Fonce said a traffic study should be done to determine the impact of any development on traffic patterns.
William Totten, director of engineering, building and planning, said a study may not be the best idea because it may recommend that all the stop signs in the area be removed to increase traffic flow.
Flask said he doesn't want to see a halt to development in the city.
Fonce was in agreement, pointing out that residential development would add to the city's tax base.
Councilwoman Susan E. Hartman, D-7th, said that in an effort to be proactive on issues, the city sometimes tends to overlook residents who live in the area in question.
yovich@vindy.com