MERIDEN - Neighbors of Hunter's Ambulance aren't concerned with the proposed excavation of 12,000 cubic yards of rock and dirt from behind the company's 450 W. Main St. headquarters - that is, as long as it helps eliminate on-street parking in the surrounding area.

Residents and developers near Hunter's said Tuesday that parking has been a "major issue" along both West Main and South Vine streets and that they support a recently filed plan that would add 52 parking spaces to the site and provide aesthetic improvements to the hill on the property.

"When you look out along the street, you can see by mid-afternoon just how congested it is," said Lorraine Fries. "As long as the plan is to reduce the number of cars parking along the street here, we can tolerate trucks moving through here during the daytime for a few months."

Fries and her husband, Carl, who live on South Vine Street, said they've had issues with cars parking along both sides of the street, preventing traffic from traveling safely. Furthermore, she said, with an entrance to Benjamin Franklin School right next to her house, she has seen how dangerous the road can be for students, parents and area residents.

Jesus Serate, who lives on the same street, also said he supports the project after visiting family members had to park more than three blocks away earlier this month.

The plan, presented to the Planning Commission last week, calls for the removal of 12,130 cubic yards of material - approximately 800 truckloads - over the course of a two-month period. Donna Hunter, executive vice president of Hunter's Ambulance, said this would make way for the extra parking.

"This is a plan we've been developing for several years now. We need the spaces not only to help provide parking for our own employees but for the community groups and organizations that use our training facilities," she said. "Our second goal is to enhance the attractiveness of the hill to match the work done in the surrounding community."

Attorney Dennis Ceneviva, who represents Hunter's, said it's still early in the development process and the plans haven't been finalized, but the company is looking to move forward as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The plan is similar to one it submitted in 2007 that was withdrawn after commissioners expressed concerns about trucks coming down a steep hill along Dann Street, a private road owned by Hunter's, and toward the ele-mentary school.

Ceneviva said that has changed with the help of developer Andrew Burnham, who has agreed to let Hunter's create an access road through Castle View Plaza to prevent any increase in traffic congestion and eliminate the need to pass by the school.

The project can also be completed without the need for any major blasting, which Ceneviva said will prevent distractions to area residents and the creation of any safety hazards.

"I'm all for this," Burnham said Tuesday. "There is nothing bad about it. It will prevent employees from having to cross the busy street, it will remove cars from the main roads and eliminate traffic, and it will allow for further commercial expansion in the area."

Burnham's only concern with the project is how long it will take Hunter's to receive planning approval and ac-tually begin the work.

The city has not completed a review of Hunter's plan and City Development and Enforcement Director Domi-nick Caruso said during the planning meeting last week that he'd like to see plans for a proposed bank in Castle View Plaza first, given that soil would need to be pushed onto Burnham's property.

The projects are unrelated, however, and Burnham said if the city can't come to a decision in a timely manner he would need to move forward with plans to build a Naugatuck Savings Bank branch in his plaza and would not be able to help provide the access route for Hunter's.

Discussions of the proposal have been tabled until the next commission meeting set for Jan. 13, according to city records.

"This is a project that the city should be happy about. I see no reason this project shouldn't move forward," Burnham said.

jvallee@record-journal.com

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