SIMSBURY, CT — The Simsbury Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency has continued a public hearing on a proposed 689-unit housing redevelopment at the former Hartford Insurance campus on Hopmeadow Street.
The commission voted unanimously on May 5 to continue the hearing until Tuesday, May 19, after hearing testimony and public comment on the proposal submitted by SL Simsbury LLC for 200 Hopmeadow St., also known as the Hartford South property.
The application seeks a wetlands permit for the construction of approximately 689 residential units and related site improvements within the upland review area surrounding nearby wetlands and watercourses.
The project, tentatively named "The Ridge at Talcott Mountain," would redevelop the former Hartford Insurance campus, which closed more than a decade ago.
The proposal revives a large housing development concept that was previously rejected by Simsbury zoning officials in 2024.
Simsbury Assistant Town Planner Brittany MacGilpin presented an overview of the wetlands application during the May 5 meeting.
Attorney T.J. Donahue, representing the applicant, also introduced the proposal.
Consultants from VHB civil engineering, representing the applicant, discussed projected wetland and stormwater impacts connected to the development.
Michelle Ford of EcoMaps LLC, serving as a subconsultant for the town’s contracted review firm CHA, presented an independent review of the application for commissioners.
Commission members questioned both the applicant and consultants during the hearing, focusing on environmental impacts and stormwater management concerns.
Several residents raised concerns during public comment.
Robert George and Ellen Gilbert, both of Hopmeadow Street, urged commissioners to preserve the existing berm and landscaping protecting nearby Talcott Acres condominiums from the proposed development.
Debra Bishop, also of Hopmeadow Street, expressed concerns about existing stormwater runoff from northern properties and asked the commission to ensure the development would not worsen conditions affecting Talcott Acres housing units.
Tyler Meeker of Hopmeadow Street questioned the pace of apartment growth in Simsbury, while Beth Ballentine of Metacom Drive raised concerns about possible wildlife displacement connected to the project.
Taylor Lyden of Oakhurst Road asked whether residents or the town would have recourse if development-related mistakes occur during construction.
Christine Sinopoli of Suffield, meanwhile, asked commissioners to ensure the review process avoids “unintended consequences” and later questioned whether additional hearings would allow consultants’ concerns to be addressed publicly.
The commission voted 7-0 to continue the hearing to its May 19 meeting at the Simsbury Public Library.
If the wetlands commission approves the application, the proposal would still require review by Simsbury’s zoning commission before development could proceed.
For all documents submitted to the town regarding the application, click on this link.
From March 25: 'Massive Housing Project To Go Before Simsbury Wetlands Board'
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