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Avon Commission continues public hearing for 'Shake Shack' application

By John Fitts

Staff Writer


AVON – On Feb. 20, the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission will continue a public hearing related to plans for locating a Shake Shack on Route 44 between the Nod Brook Mall and Walmart Plaza.

The application for the 9.8-acre site at 275/279 West Main Street, from Branford-based Atlas Construction Services, seeks a special exception for the construction of a 3,023-square-foot restaurant, a planned Shake Shack according to both public statements and application materials on file. (In the meeting a member of the development team estimated the Shake Shack as closer to 3,200 square feet). The application drawings show 36 parking spaces around the planned Shake Shack.

The site plan application also includes two additional pad sites for future uses, and related infrastructure improvements such as parking areas, landscaping, exterior lighting, and a stormwater management system.

Per the application, on-site structures, including a garage and existing home as well as the long-time Rotondo Pizza House, would be demolished. According to a family obituary, Rotondo Pizza House was opened by Giuseppe and Lucia (Longhi) Rotondo in 1948 and ran until 1972. In ensuing years, the site was home to several other restaurants, including Little Mark’s Big BBQ, and, for a brief time, a limited buying operation by a jewelry store. An approved application for a display and office for Atlas Outdoor’s outdoor sheds and other structures was never pursued.

The Shake Shack building would sit close to where the current vacant restaurant building is located. The two other pad sites would be for a 3,960-square-foot building near Route 44 to the west of the planned Shake Shack building and a 2,400-square-foot building to the rear of the site, according to statements at the hearing.

The special exception for the restaurant requires a public hearing, which the Planning and Zoning Commission opened on Jan. 30. The commission is considering both the special exception and the site plan applications together.

Michael Ott of Madison-based Summer Hill Civil Engineers & Land Surveyors spoke at the meeting on behalf of the developer and detailed the application.

“The plan is to demolish all the buildings, remove all the pavement … And construct a new building in the east-front corner and that would be the Shake Shack restaurant,” said Ott. “The other two buildings that we show, we show them as pad sites because the applicant doesn’t have tenants yet for those two buildings. So, we laid out the buildings, assumed they would have a use that’s allowed in this zoning district, and laid out driveways and parking for the entire site so that someday in the future buildings could be built on these two pad sites."

He spoke of the plan to extend public water to the site, an “extensive” stormwater management plan and other details of the application

Earlier in the meeting, attorney Robert M. Meyers said the Walmart and Nod Brook Mall properties were developed before the commission required frontage sidewalks. He said the developer does not think it should build sidewalks now but is willing to when the time is right.

“If we were to put in a sidewalk right now, it would be sort of a sidewalk to nowhere … If you were to put a condition that we build a sidewalk when the town is able to secure the rights from the abutters and then tells us to build it and the state’s on board with it, we’ll commit to building it,” Meyers said.

Another aspect discussed in some length was traffic patterns.  

David Sullivan, US Manager of Traffic & Transportation Planning for SLR Consulting, reviewed some details of a traffic study done for the site, which he said used projections based on all three businesses being open and operating.

“We did our analysis based on trip generation for the three uses: fast food for the Shake Shack, a casual sit-down restaurant for what we call B but is the larger of the other two parcels, and a general shopping center or retail for the smaller one,” Sullivan said.

He said projections show 150 additional trips to and from the plaza during weekday peak hours and 223 on Saturday. Accounting for “pass-by” traffic could lower those numbers, meaning some of the draw could be people who are already on the road that would now go into the plaza.

He also asserted that “levels of service” at the two nearest intersections would “essentially be status quo.”

Expanding on some information provided by Ott, Sullivan also noted that the plan involved leaving the westerly curb cut as a full access to enter and exit the site. The eastern access closest to the Walmart Plaza would be for right turns only out of the site, he added, also noting the plan to “flatten” the curb cuts, bringing them more in line with Route 44. He reiterated that topography made it unfeasible to connect to adjacent sites.

“Of course, the first thing we looked at with Mike, as he indicated, Is there any way to interconnect this with a nearby parcel? Which was a non-starter, so that went away,” Sullivan said. “Then we looked at the driveway configurations. We said, Well, the left turn out is the most difficult, and the options are to, number one, not let people do it, but we didn’t like that option because if you need to take a left turn, even though you may have to wait awhile during peak times, the alternative is to take a right turn, turn around somewhere else … and then come back the opposite direction. And essentially what you’re doing is adding more trips to the network because people have to go multiple times through the same sections of the road.

So, our recommendation was to leave the westerly driveway to allow all turns, left turns in and out, right turns in and out. That would be a full access driveway. And our recommendation was that the easterly driveway, which is the driveway closest to the signal, making that a right-turn-out only.”

While acknowledging it’s more of a question for the state Department of Transportation, which would need to issue an encroachment permit for the plan to move forward, some commissioners expressed concern about traffic safety, particularly with left turns in and out of the plaza.

“Should it be approved, the Shake Shack will be very popular with youth in town. I know for a fact that right now they hang out at the McDonalds. That is the thing to do after Friday night sports events - you go to McDonalds and hang out,” said Commission member Robin Baran. “So now if they’re shifting over to Shake Shack, the traffic pattern, or turning left out of there with 16, 17, 18-year-old drivers, I would just ask that would be something to consider.”

Another aspect that came up was architecture.

Ott said the owners are more than willing to work with town staff to deviate from the standard Shake Shack architecture shown in the application and make it more in line with other recent developments in Avon.

In his staff report, Hiram Peck, the town’s director of planning, addressed that issue as well as several others that came up during the meeting, writing, in part, “The application shows the new building to be a Class III restaurant with outdoor seating as permitting as an accessory use to the restaurant. The applicant will need to submit specific architectural plans for the proposed building as part of the building permit process. The applicant has submitted examples of the architecture of the proposed restaurant building. The application should be aware that any signage either on the building or detached will need to obtain zoning approval as required. The Commission should note that no drive-through window is proposed for this application.”

The application has obtained approval from the Avon Wetlands Agency. The Avon Engineering department has submitted several comments that will need to be addressed prior to the application for any building permit for this property. In addition, comments from the Farmington Valley Health District have also been submitted. Those too will need to be addressed prior to any building permit application.

In addition to the approval being sought at this time from the commission, the application will also need to obtain approval from CT DOT regarding access and egress to and from West Main Street. Typically, the DOT will not review of comment on an application unless local approval has been granted."

Early in the meeting, Meyers said the development team had no objection to any of the suggestions.

“Happily, there is nothing objectionable in any of those comments, so we think we can comply with all of them,” he said.

Peck also commented further on some aspects at the meeting.

"The fact of the matter is that the town cannot issue a building permit until DOT issues its final approval,” Peck said. Regarding the architecture, he added, "What I would recommend is putting those on the table this evening. If they can be addressed in a manner that the commission is satisfied with, staff can continue to work with the applicant to get those details straightened out. We’ve done the same thing with the development across the street on the corner of Lawrence Avenue with regard to the restaurants and the bank building there. We worked very hard on the architecture of those buildings as well.”

There were just a few comments from the public at the Jan. 30 meeting. One speaker asked that an invasive species be removed from the planting list. Abigail Adams, landscape architect and owner of A2 Land Consulting, said she is careful not to use invasives but would double check and ensure none would in fact be used. Ott said that could be a condition of approval.


The commission continued the hearing, in part to give commissioners the chance to review the traffic study, which commission members said they had not received prior to the meeting.

“At this time, I would like the commission to see the traffic report," said commission chair Lisa Levin. "We don’t have the final say on it, but I’m very reluctant to close the public hearing without having had a chance to look at that, so it would be my suggestion that we continue the public hearing to the next meeting and at that time we can take any other questions and then hopefully be in a position to vote on it."

Ott said it would be typical to close the hearing and then review any further information, and some commissioners seemed ready to close the hearing. However, after some discussion and the urging of a resident to keep it open, the commission did just that. Levin noted she felt the commission should have the complete record prior to voting.

That next meeting is set to take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in Avon Town Hall Building #1. It will also be a hybrid meeting, giving people the chance to watch from home. That link will be posted on the town’s website as part of the agenda as the date gets closer.

 



This rendering shows all three pad sites. However, only the Shake Shack on the eastern portion frontage is being proposed for now.



This rendering shows the site plan for Shake Shack as well as some architectural examples. The applicant, however, says it would work with the town to design a building more in character with Avon.

This rendering shows more examples of a typical Shake Shack but developers say, if the project is approved, they will work with the town on a design more appropriate for the area.


Developers would like the entrance nearest camera to be full access, while the one further away would be for right hand turns out of the complex.

Some in town are concerned about the idea of allowing left turns in and out of this access.


This topography would make it unfeasible to connect to Nod Brook Mall, developers say. A stream runs on the other side of the site near the Wal Mart Plaza.



An aerial view of the site.

 

 


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Valley Happenings

UPDATED:

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Farmington Polo Club, 162 Town Farm Road, Farmington

 

AVFD Deputy Chief of Administration Dave Theriault is facing a tough battle against Stage 4 cancer. The AVFD, along with Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1 and the Farmington Fire Department, is holding a pasta dinner to help raise money for Chief Theriault’s medical expenses. Cheese and crackers from 3:00-4:00 p.m., buffet from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and coffee and dessert from 6:00-7:00 p.m. In addition to delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie, the event will feature dozens of raffle prizes. Event tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 10 years old. They can be purchased at the door or online at www.HometownFoundation.org Contributions can be made via Venmo @supportDave or by mail to the AVFD at 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001. 

Canton Community Health Fund Applications

Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. Opens 2025 Application Season, on March 1, 2025, for Canton Community Partner Grants & Canton Scholars Pursuing Careers in Healthcare or Public Safety Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), opens its grant and scholarship application season March 1. CCHF encourages State of CT certified non-profits serving the Canton community to apply for Community Partner grants. In addition, graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety are invited to apply for either a Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship or a Pay It Forward Scholarship. Applications and informative Fact Sheets are available online at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.  Community Partner Grant and Scholarship awards will be announced in June/2025.

 

Avon Library events

AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203

• Antique Map Collecting 101, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/antique-map-collecting/

• Morning Book Club. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m., The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/tag/morning-book-club/

• Meditation for Balance and Inner Contentment. (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm.

• Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Fashion and the First Lady (Virtual Event). Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

• Hoop Skirts to Flappers: Eighty Years of Connecticut Fashion. Monday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

• The Golden Age of Hollywood. (Virtual Event) Tuesday, March 4 at 2 pm.

 

Simsbury Lions Club

The Simsbury Lions Club is looking for people interested in volunteering and contributing to better our town. Our motto is “We serve,” and we do so by volunteering at local events and donating our proceeds to serving interests in our community.

If interested, please feel free to contact Sandy Kremer at Tprkremer@gmail.com or Philip Painchaud at painchaudp@gmail.com.”

 

Winter sowing workshop

The Farmington Land trust is hosting a winter sowing workshop focused on raising native plants. Make your own up-cycled greenhouse from a milk jug and prep some beneficial native plants for the coming growing season. Sunday, Feb 2 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Farmington Senior Center. RSVP here: https://www.farmingtonlandtrust.org/event-details/winter-sowing-seminar-native-seed-planting

 

Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall

CANTON – The Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a lecture on “Following Our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Canton Community Center, lower level, 40 Dyer Avenue. Steve Messier, Lichenologist and former Science teacher at Canton High School will discuss the topic. The lecture is open to the public. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

 

‘Five Wishes’ at McLean

SIMSBURY – Join Kevin Baran, M.D., medical director, and the McLean Hospice Team for a special “McLean & Me Educational Series” presentation to learn how to talk about and record your wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. The presentation will be held at McLean’s Garmany Performing Arts Center, 50 Sarah Lane, Simsbury, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free but an RSVP by Feb. 4 is required as seating is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

To register, visit McLeanCare.org/Events, email Margaret.Clark@McLeanCare.org, or call 860-658-3718.

 

‘Art Throb!’ Exhibit

Gallery on the Green presents “Art Throb!” Exhibit plus a Solo Exhibit by Kathi Packer Friday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, March 15. An opening reception is on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free.

“Art Throb!” is a heartfelt Valentine’s Day celebration presented by the membership of Canton Artists’ Guild. The artists use a wide range of media including painting, prints, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media to represent the emotional intensity, joy and complexity of love.

In the upstairs Gallery, Kathi Packer has a solo show, “Another Tale.”  Packer notes that a friend’s casual invitation to go on safari in 2008 substantially changed the direction of her artistic journey.The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org; Phone:  860-693-4102

 

TABLESCAPES fundraiser returns to benefit the new

Avon History Museum

AVON – The Avon Historical Society invites the public to its sixth TABLESCAPES event showcasing up to 30 creative and original table settings on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the historic North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon.

This event will feature themed table settings from local professional designers, florists, businesses, individuals, artists and others featuring fresh floral arrangements, centerpieces and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the installation of professionally curated exhibits in the new Avon History Museum scheduled to open on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Back by popular demand will be a “Table and Barware Tag Sale” on both days. Admission to TABLESCAPES includes the tag sale. Tickets are $20 each pre-sale and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 before March 8.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can also call Harrop.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

FARMINGTON – Hearts, Hugs & Hope: An Alzheimer’s Support Group takes place Feb. 20, 2025, 6 p.m. at Farmington Station Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 111 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group is being offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month. If you plan to attend, contact Director of Compass Programming Katherine Jedynasty at kjedynasty@farmingtonslr.com.

 

Used book sale

AVON - A huge book sale will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 in St. Ann’s Church Hall, 289 Arch Road at Route 167.  Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($5 adult admission) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no admission fee).

Thousands of books will be organized in separate sections, including Fiction, History, Biography, Politics, Children, Music, Cooking, Sports, Art, Vintage, and more!  A large selection of Children’s books will be available.  Fiction books will be divided by hardcover, paperback, and trade paperback and sorted alphabetically by author.  DVDs, CDs, books on CDs, Vinyl records, and puzzles will be available, also.  Most books will be $3 or less with vintage and specialty books priced higher.

 

Daisy Days: All-Girls Summer Day Camp Experience

FARMINGTON – Miss Porter’s School, a renowned institution with a legacy of empowering young women, is excited to announce the launch of Daisy Days, an all-new day camp for girls entering grades 3-5 this fall. Starting this summer, Daisy Days will offer a unique, joy-filled experience designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire self-discovery in an empowering all-girls environment.

For additional details, visit pcgl.porters.org/daisy-days.

 

Artist demonstration

Avon Arts Association will hold a guest artist demonstration featuring  Granby artist Laura Eden on Tuesday, February 18 at  Avon Town Hall, 60 W. Main St., lower level, at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Eden will demonstrate egg tempera painting.

The demo is free and open to the public ($5 suggested donation). A workshop with Ms. Eden will be held at the same location in the Avon Room on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-2 with  set up at 9:30. Fee: $45 for members, $55 for nonmembers). www.AvonArts.org

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