SIMSBURY, CT — The Simsbury Zoning Commission has approved a change to the Dorset Crossing development plan that would allow a car wash at 10 Dorset Crossing, but commissioners have not yet approved the project's site plan.
The commission considered two related applications from property owner Dorset Crossing LLC at its Sept. 9 meeting.
Application ZC #26-18 sought a zone change and amendment to the Dorset Crossing Master Development Plan to allow a car wash on the property, which is in a Planned Area Development zone.
A separate application, ZC #26-19, seeks site plan approval for a proposed 7,275-square-foot car wash at the same location.
Simsbury Planning Director George McGregor told commissioners the town had received a Sept. 3 intervenor petition related to the proposals.
He explained the legal process requiring the commission to determine whether the petition met the requirements for intervention.
Attorney Jane Warren of McCarter & English, representing the intervenor, presented arguments concerning environmental impacts raised in the petition.
Attorney Dwight Merriam, representing the applicant, provided a rebuttal.
Commissioners ultimately voted 5-1 to reject the intervention petition as it related to the zone change application.
The commission's motion stated that an intervention petition under Section 22a-19 of the Connecticut General Statutes did not apply to the zone change because that application itself involved no conduct, activity, or development.
The commission determined, however, that the site plan application was an appropriate proceeding for intervention.
Commissioners voted 6-0 to accept petitioner Thomas Sirman as an intervenor for the site plan application after finding he had met the minimum threshold for a verified petition and notice of intervention.
The commission also found that the environmental issues raised in the petition were generally within its jurisdiction.
Following additional questions and deliberations, commissioners approved the zone change application.
The commission found that the Dorset Crossing master plan had identified the parcel for mixed-use retail and office uses and that allowing a car wash instead was generally consistent with the development.
Commissioners also found the proposed use consistent with Simsbury's Plan of Conservation and Development, citing policies supporting mixed-use and new business development in that portion of the Hopmeadow Street corridor.
The approval requires the amended master plan to substantially conform with plans dated April 30 and revised June 26.
The change will become effective following publication of the required legal notice and the corresponding appeal period.
The site plan, meanwhile, remains pending.
Commissioners unanimously voted to forward the 7,275-square-foot car wash site plan application to the Simsbury Zoning Commission's regularly scheduled Sept. 23 meeting for further consideration.
For the minutes of the Sept. 9 Simsbury Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.
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