SIMSBURY, CT — Area residents will have a new place to do their banking as local land-use officials this month said 'yes' to an application to build a new branch this year.
The Simsbury Zoning Commission on April 6 approved a site plan for a new Chase Bank branch at 730 Hopmeadow St., advancing redevelopment of a long-vacant parcel in the town center.
The commission voted 5-1 to approve the application, submitted by JP Morgan Chase Bank on behalf of property owner Gradbros Hopmeadow, LLC. Commissioner Jackie Battos opposed the motion.
The proposal calls for the construction of a 3,432-square-foot bank building with a drive-up ATM and related site improvements on a 0.63-acre lot at the corner of Hopmeadow Street and Jim Gallagher Way.
The site has been vacant since a fire-damaged building was demolished in 2025.
During the meeting, attorney Jennifer Porter of CSG Law and architect Don Fernandez of Stonefield Engineering and Design presented the project.
Commissioners asked follow-up questions and recommended using native plants in the landscaping.
Planning staff determined the project meets zoning requirements for the Simsbury Center Zone, where banks are permitted as office uses.
Plans show the building set about 25 feet from the front property line, with 20 parking spaces located behind it.
Vehicle access would include a full driveway on Jim Gallagher Way and an exit-only driveway onto Hopmeadow Street.
The approval includes several conditions.
The project must be built in substantial conformance with site and architectural plans dated March 18, 2026.
Before a building permit is issued, the applicant must submit a lighting plan and revised architectural drawings for review by the town's planning department.
A separate sign plan will require Simsbury Design Review Board approval, and engineering comments outlined in a March 30 referral must be addressed.
The application will also undergo architectural and site design review by the town’s Design Review Board as part of the next steps.
For the minutes of the April 6 Simsbury Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.
For all documents related to the application, click on this link and scroll to page 124.
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