top of page

Simsbury Zoning Commission rejects plan for southern portion of former Hartford Campus

By John Fitts

Staff Writer

 

SIMSBURY – As expected, the town’s Zoning Commission on Feb. 21 denied a New Jersey company’s plan for a mostly residential project at the former campus of The Hartford at 200 Hopmeadow St.

In recent weeks, The Silverman Group, in response to public and staff comments, had further tweaked the Master Site Development Plan application. What began as a 580-unit residential-only project was reduced to 432 residential units. Additionally, the development team lowered the height of eight planned buildings from four stories to three, increased the number of affordable units from 10 percent to 15 percent, and added commercial space, including a 5,000-square-foot restaurant and what the developer called 27,500 square feet of industrial/commercial “flex space.”

But members of the Zoning Commission felt it wasn’t enough to meet the Hartford-Simsbury Form Based Code, and on Feb. 21 voted on a denial motion they had directed town staff to prepare.

The motion alleges the proposal didn’t meet the following criteria:

• “The proposal does not meet the purpose and intent of the adopted Hartford-Simsbury Form-Based Code. The proposal fails to achieve the purpose and intent of a mix-used, vibrant community.”

• “The proposal fails to provide an appropriate building scale and transitions to fit the adjoining design context.”

• “The proposal does not provide a minimum or appropriate level of public benefits such as useable civic and open spaces, economic development, or employment opportunities.”

• “The project represents unknown impacts on the public health, safety, and welfare of the general public.

(The motion went into much further detail for each point.)

After hours of commentary, revisions and public input over at least three installments of the public hearing on the application, most commissioners were ready to vote when the matter came up in the Feb. 21 meeting.

Commissioner Tucker Salls, however, urged his fellow members to vote against the denial and ask staff to prepare an approval motion. He said that while there were legitimate concerns with the application, he felt the developer made a good effort in its revisions, deviated from the code in some positive ways, and would meet many important goals, particularly when it came to housing options.

“The developer, when we gave our feedback, reduced the number of units of the project, increased the deed-restricted affordability from 10 to 15 percent, they added in commercial developments, which in this market, they’ll probably be operating almost at a loss,” he said. “Commercial development is extremely challenging in the modern economy. They also created significant naturally occurring affordable housing through the duplexes, with multiple bedrooms that could be shared by roommates. It provides an excellent housing option for lots of different people at lots of different levels. I’ll remind the commission that we are in a housing crisis and have a homeless population – the highest it’s ever been in Connecticut. Last year it went up by 13 percent, and they were trying to put in 65 deed-restricted affordable units in this development.”

Commissioner Tony Braz said the developer didn’t go far enough with its revisions.

“Tucker raises some good points and I think the developer did make a significant move from the initial application to the revised application. My hope was that there would be a further revision, but at our last public hearing the applicant stated that they wanted a decision,” he said, adding that he couldn’t support the application in its current form.

David Moore, a commission alternate who was seated for the meeting, expressed similar thoughts.

“We have a round project trying to be fit into a square space,” he said. “It doesn’t work, and while I certainly understand the difficulties with creating commercial space, having commercial spaces work – I was the former vice chair of the Economic Development Commission in this town and I know how hard it is to do that – but nonetheless, this particular zoning calls for very specific requirements. Those requirements have not been met by the applicant with the current application, and that’s why I support the denial.”

The commission voted 5-1 to deny the application.

The Silverman Group has an active development on the northern portion of the former Hartford site and has sometimes clashed with the commission over aspects of that buildout.

According to town documents, the group purchased the property in 2015, one year after the establishment of the Hartford-Simsbury Form Based Code. Had the master plan for the south portion been approved, the company would have had to also file a site plan with more technical details of the development.

On Feb. 21, Holden Sabato, development coordinator for The Silverman Group, expressed disappointment and raised the possibility of legal action, even referring to the commission’s agenda item that included voting in favor of a settlement over another housing project.

In a prepared statement given to The Valley Press after the meeting, he stated, “We are very disappointed with the outcome and process which brought this result. Over the past year and a half, our team worked diligently with town staff to create and present the plan which has been turned down. Our professionals affirm that this plan complies with the Zoning Regulations.

The Planning Commission also found that it complies with the Plan of Conservation and Development, which firmly embraces The Hartford Form-Based Code for this site.

The Design Review Board appreciated many of the changes that we made and gave a neutral comment, leaving details to the site plan approval phase.

So now, we will review the decision and record with our team and our lawyers and move forward in some manner.

We note that tonight’s agenda contains other zoning litigation actions. We are hopeful that this is not an indication of a change in the way Simsbury will handle its Zoning responsibilities.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VAL_01.jpg
WHL_01.jpg

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

Have a press release or story idea? Send me a note.

Thanks for submitting!

© 2023 by Train of Thoughts. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page