Finally ... Serious Movement On Former Vernon Car Dealership Land

VERNON, CT — A regional giant in the auto industry has submitted plans for developing a former auto dealership property one day short of a year since it purchased the land.

A site plan for 808 Talcottville Road was submitted by Balise Auto Group Wednesday calling for a the construction of a multi-faceted commercial building that would include a car wash, a gas station, a convenience store and other retail space.

That's the spot of the old Clyde Chevrolet dealership.

Special permits are needed, as well as a site plan approval, Vernon Community & Economic Development Coordinator Shaun Gately said. The site plan was submitted Wednesday. Exactly one year ago Thursday, Balise purchased the land for $700,000.

Here is a look at the plans:

The Clyde dealership was a respected member of the Vernon business community for many years on Talcottville Road. It was established in 1956, when the stylish Chevy Bel Air cost a whopping $2,450.

Then, in January 2011, tragedy struck. Most of the building's west wing, which housed the service bays, collapsed under a heap of accumulating snow.

The entire dealership was eventually razed and the parcel has pretty much sat vacant ever since.

Gately would periodically mention "nibbles" on the land, but nothing serious happened until Balise made its move last year.

Balise currently owns and operates a car wash at 56 Talcottvile Road, which it purchased from Economy Oil.