Farmington OKs Redevelopment Of Former Barnes & Noble Site

FARMINGTON, CT — The former Barnes & Noble building on Southeast Road is slated to become a multi-tenant destination featuring a jewelry store, ice cream shop, and children's activity gym.

This comes after Farmington planners last month unanimously approved a redevelopment proposal.

The Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission voted July 13 to approve 1599 SE Road LLC's site plan for the property at 1599 Southeast Road, which straddles the Farmington-Newington town line, across from the Westfarms Mall in Farmington/West Hartford.

Steve Marszalek, co-owner of 1599 SE Road LLC, told commissioners the existing building is being divided into five tenant spaces.

The largest space on the Farmington side will be occupied by Hanoush Jewelers.

Cold Stone Creamery and KidStrong, an indoor children's activity gym, are also planned for the development.

Another space is expected to become either an indoor golf simulator or a Pilates studio, he said.

Marszalek agreed that if a different type of tenant is proposed for that space, he will return to town staff and the commission for review and approval.

Marszalek, who owns and operates Goldfish Swim School, said the swim school will occupy the eastern end of the building. That portion of the property is entirely within Newington.

KidStrong will straddle the municipal boundary.

The property currently has 124 parking spaces, including five accessible spaces. Marszalek said the proposed uses meet Farmington's parking requirements and complement one another in a way that should allow the businesses to share the available parking.

The redevelopment will also bring landscaping and lighting changes.

Marszalek presented a revised landscaping plan that calls for removing much of the site's aging landscaping and replacing it with deciduous trees, shrubs, and perennials.

Plantings along the property's frontage, driveway island and central island will also be replaced.

Existing site-light locations will receive new poles and LED fixtures, while new LED lighting will be installed around the building.

Marszalek said the lighting will comply with dark-sky standards.

Lighting became one area where commissioners sought additional assurances. Marszalek agreed to limit lighting hours except where illumination is necessary for security and to place rear building lights on motion sensors overnight.

The monument sign will also be reconfigured to accommodate the five tenants.

New ground-mounted lights will illuminate the sign but must turn off one hour after the last tenant closes.

Commissioners unanimously approved the application.

The approval includes four conditions. Changes to the landscaping plan will require approval from the project's landscape architect and town staff. Sign lighting must shut off an hour after the last tenant closes, while lights on the building's south and east rear faces must operate on motion sensors.

The commission also required site lighting to operate using photocells and timers and prohibited it from remaining on overnight except where needed for security.

For the minutes of the July 13, Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission meeting.