Simsbury Center Code Adopted

The Simsbury Zoning Commission, at its regular meeting on Monday, April 4, unanimously approved the Simsbury Center Code, which is form based.

Form based means just that, that the form of the building is the guiding principal, versus the use of the structure.

The code, or zoning regulation, is the culmination of more than two years work, which included an intensive Town Center Charrette, which was held in September 2009 and drew hundreds of residents.

In short, the Simsbury Center Code — also referred to as the Town Center Code — provides the means to guide implementation of the citizen-endorsed vision for property within the Simsbury Center Zone.

The code is one of the first custom-created form-based codes in Connecticut.

“There are a few others in existence,” said to Hiram Peck, director of planning, “but this code was created specifically for the Simsbury Town Center, showing future streets, buildings and parking accommodations. It is a 40-year plan for the town center which directly reflects the recommendations of the 2007 Plan of Conservation and Development.”

The code was created by a multi-consultant charrette team led by Code Studio of Austin, TX. Funding for the work came from the town and a variety of additional sources, including Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, the state Office of Policy and Management, the state Department of Environmental Protection, and the Connecticut Main Street Center, through the state Commission on Culture and Tourism. This broad funding base also ensured that a wide variety of interests were addressed during the entire process.

The zoning commission held a public hearing on the proposed Simsbury Center Code March 21.

The regulation goes into great detail about every aspect of what is and is not allowed in the center area, from building uses to a building's lighting, parking, landscaping, height and placement.

An important aspect is transparency, literally meaning the windows and doors. The idea is that as people walk by they will see in through the windows, versus passing a brick wall.

No business will be mandated to make changes to meet the code requirements, but if a business wants to undertake significant renovations it would be done under the new guidelines.

The code is also built around the idea that Hopmeadow Street/Route 10 will remain a two-lane road — each lane 11 feet wide — with parking on either side.

Since this is a long-range plan, there is also a provision for parking between Hopmeadow Street and Iron Horse Boulevard that would be built into that slope and would provide one level for each street. Officials understand this is something that will not happen tomorrow, but the town is prepared for the possibility when it arises. The code is something that will guide the development of the center for decades to come.

The code, like any regulation in town, would be subject to appeals, changes and variances.

The new code was adopted with minor wording revisions and will soon be available on the town website at www.simsbury-ct.gov, on the planning and land use page.

The draft regulation, dated Feb. 18, 2011, is posted on the town website. The code is located at the bottom of the home page and on the planning and land use page as well.

Anyone with questions on the new code can call the planing and land use department at 860-658-3228.