READ THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS
Update: We have been informed this hearing will be delayed until October and will likely include a short update in the Oct. 2 issue of The Valley Press.
“It is the professional opinion of Solli Engineering that the proposed development along with the recommended improvements will not have an adverse impact on the traffic operating conditions in the study area,” the application states.
The application acknowledges the need for a “significant cut” of approximately 122,215 cubic yards of a ridge on the property, as well as “areas of fill along the western and eastern sides of the existing ridge.
Approximately 110,615 cubic yards of fill would be removed from the property and 11,565 cubic yards of fill brought in.
The project plans also propose two retaining walls.
However, the applicants state that no work is proposed in the upland review area and no wetlands will be altered. The applicant said the project also conforms to the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development while keeping in mind natural resources on the 26-acre site.
“Building location, according to the planning and zoning regulations, has positioned the structures near the front, or Albany Turnpike adjacent, of the site with most of the parking located in the rear. Maintaining natural resources was considered in the overall grading of this development. When possible, structure, driveway and internal aisle locations are designed based on the existing natural grade of the land. Gravity block and excavated rock face walls are required for access and to bring the area to an elevation with appropriate slopes for operations through the building and parking areas. Proposed landscape plan is provided to enhance the overall site aesthetics in accordance with regulations.”
The application anticipates construction would take approximately 18 months and could start in the spring of 2022.
This drawing, included with the Canton application, shows the proposed development.
The site of the proposed development as included in the Canton application. The project would sit near Route 44.
EV showroom, convenience store with eateries, outdoor seating proposed on Canton/Simsbury Line
The Valley & West Hartford PRESS papers
By John Fitts
Staff Writer
A Route 44 landowner has proposed a mixed-use development on the Canton-Simsbury town line.
The owners of land at 9 and 15 Albany Turnpike are looking to develop an electric vehicle showroom, gas station, and multi-faceted convenience store on the 26-acre property, which straddles the Canton-Simsbury town lines. Currently one home sits on the property, which lies just east of the former La Trattoria restaurant site.
A site plan and special exception application for the project has been filed by Solli Engineering on behalf of 9-15 Albany Turnpike, LLC. in Canton and the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing at 7 p.m. Sept. 16. Residents who would like to weigh in on the proposal can email comments to npade@townofcantonct.org. Developers also plan to file a site plan in Simsbury.
David J. Markowitz, a Canton resident and land-use attorney with Hassett & George, P.C., which has offices in Glastonbury and Simsbury, said developer Mark Greenberg, who is manager of 9-15 Albany Turnpike, LLC, has been wonderful to work with. Markowitz feels the project will be great for the area.
“I’m tremendously excited about the development,” he said. “I think it’s a wonderful thing for the town of Canton.”
The plan calls for an 8,384-square-foot gas station/store with 20 pumps, an ice cream shop, coffee shop, sandwich shop, outdoor seating area and drive through and 68 parking spaces, 20 of which would be at the filling station pumps.
A proposed two-story 20,865 square-foot electric vehicle showroom would also include a service component and public display.
“The EV showroom and service structure complements the gas station and convenience uses by demonstrating electric alternatives to traditional gasoline vehicles,” the application states. “The EV showroom structure will allow for vehicles on display inside and outside to be visible up the natural slope in the right-of-way, to the development frontage.”
The showroom as proposed would include six service bays and 30 parking spaces.
Two means of access are proposed, as is a traffic signal on Route 44 approximately at the current eastern entrance of Brass Lantern Road.
Solli Engineering contends that a traffic study, combined with roadway improvements and a new traffic signal will result in negligible impact.