Massive Amazon Proposal Leads To Community Opposition In Killingly

KILLINGLY, CT — As a developer tries again to put a huge Amazon warehousing and distribution center in town, residents who oppose the plan have launched a fundraising campaign to try to block it.

Ryan Companies US, Inc. has submitted a proposal to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission seeking to construct the approximately 1.3 million-square-foot center.

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It is proposed for a 556-acre lot off Westcott Road, near I-395 and Mashentuck Road.

The proposal was on the commission's agenda on Sept. 14.

The current plan consists of using 340 acres for development, which includes a 76-plus acre conservation easement, and 216-plus acres to be deeded to the town for conservation.

Hartford-based Attorney Evan Seeman, who represented the applicant, said at the September meeting the site is mostly in the Business Park Zoning District, "where warehouse and distribution centers are allowed as of right," meeting minutes show.

A previous application had been denied, and this latest proposal includes multiple changes.

According to Seeman, this application reduces the size of the proposed building by 58,000 square feet, in addition to a prior reduction of 87,000 square feet, and it includes 200 fewer parking spaces. He said it also includes increasing the wetlands mitigation area.

Residents who spoke at the public hearing raised concerns about issues such as pollution, the building still being too large, and potential negative impacts on wildlife, traffic, and water quality.

Angelina Wagner, for example, noted the commission had asked for the building to be scaled down to be like Frito-Lay to reflect the character of the community, and she asserted the applicant "completely disregarded" the request.

The commission did not vote on the proposal at its September meeting, and it continued the public hearing to a later date. Its next meeting is on Oct. 5.

Even with the modifications, the plan continues to encounter opposition.

Opponents of the plan have launched a GoFundMe campaign, "Support Killingly's Fight Against Distribution Centers."

As of Wednesday, it had raised $4,940 out of a goal of $15,000, with plans to use the funds toward advocacy, protection and public awareness efforts.

"We chose Killingly for its beauty, open space, fresh air, and peaceful surroundings," the campaign states. "Today, those qualities are at risk."

The citizen group is contesting the development, citing concerns such as negative impacts on water and the environment, and noise, pollution and gridlock from diesel trucks.

Read more:

Amazon Wants To Build Mega-Warehouse In This CT Town: Report