Towns across Connecticut are embracing the “live, work, play” development concept, and working to create vibrant and all-inclusive central village districts.
State agencies like the departments of Transportation and Economic and Community Development are supporting similar transit-oriented development strategies and offering towns grants for sidewalks, road improvements, traffic studies, safety measures, brownfield remediation and consultants.
Windsor’s Planning and Zoning Commission has given Indus Realty tentative approval for a 248,000-square-foot distribution center on 59.6 acres near Bradley International Airport.
At its June 14 meeting, the commission unanimously agreed to approve Indus’ plans for 105 International Drive, provided it satisfied comments raised by town staff. The commission authorized Town Planner Eric Barz to make the final sign-off.
In Enfield, representatives of Massachusetts-based Winstanley Enterprises met with locals months ahead of submitting plans for an 817,000-square-foot distribution center.
The company said it cut the proposed size of the building planned for 35 Bacon Road by about one-fourth, pledged to donate 22 acres to open space, planned dark sky-compliant lighting and heavily-landscaped buffers.
Windsor could adopt stronger regulations on large distribution facilities this week, responding to resident concerns over a boom in development in recent years.
The Planning and Zoning Commission could vote as early as Wednesday – following a public hearing – to adopt a regulation making warehousing, logistics and distribution centers subject to special permits, rather than simply being allowed by right in industrial and warehouse zoning districts.
Some cities and towns that once rolled out the red carpet for new giant distribution centers – and the accompanying growth in tax revenue and jobs – are becoming increasingly hesitant.
As towns like Windsor and South Windsor have experienced a warehouse boom, residents are raising increasing alarm over congestion, pollution and noise concerns, prompting some local governments to contemplate stricter land-use controls.