Multiple Hearings Slated For New West Hartford Starbucks Plan

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Plans to build a new Starbucks coffee shop in town have progressed to the town's planning and zoning commission, which also serves as West Hartford's wetlands board, on multiple fronts.

Last week, the West Hartford Plan and Zoning Commission undertook three actions in connection with Corporate Center West Associates LLC's plans for the single-story Starbucks to be built at 433 S. Main St.

While none of the actions resulted in final approval, they set up a timeline toward that end by the PZC.

The developer is pitching a mixed-use development that would also include a large expansion of the Hartford Healthcare facility nearby in addition to the new Starbucks.

According to plans submitted to the town, the new Starbucks would be 2,417 square feet and include the reconfiguration of the parking layout, installation of new landscaping, lighting and pedestrian amenities.

At the Oct. 3 West Hartford PZC meeting, commission members:

• Acting as the town's inland wetlands watercourses agency, voted 5-0 to schedule a public hearing for Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7:15 p.m. in West Hartford Town Hall regarding a wetlands permit for the project.

Such a permit is being sought because construction of the Starbucks is within 150 feet of an upland review area, though the developers are not pitching to impact any nearby wetlands.

A procedural motion to declare the application "non-significant," meaning a permit wasn't required, failed with 0 votes in favor and 5 votes against.

That paved the way for the public hearing vote, with a vote on the wetlands permit coming after the hearing is closed.

• Acting as the PZC, the commission voted 5-0 to schedule a public hearing for the re-subdivision of a 13.5-acre parcel at 433 S. Main St. that would allow for a Starbucks on site.

That vote was unanimous and the hearing for that will be on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7:15 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall.

A vote on the re-sdubdivision could come after the hearing.

• Then, the PZC voted 5-0 to schedule a public hearing for the actual Starbucks construction project at 433 S. Main St., namely a new restaurant with a drive-through.

That hearing will take place Monday, Dec. 5, at 7:15 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall, with a vote on that project coming once the hearing is closed.

Starbucks is expected to be utilized by workers at a nearby 140,000-square-foot office building, the 12,400-square-foot Hartford Healthcare facility (that is pegged for expansion) as well as proposed residential development planned nearby.

PZC action isn't all that's required for the Starbucks proposal, however.

The applicants are also seeking an amendment to the town's "special development district" at 433 S. Main St. to allow for the Starbucks eatery.

That requires West Hartford Town Council approval, with that board slated to conduct a public hearing, and possible vote, at its Nov. 9 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall.

For the minutes of the Oct. 3 West Hartford Plan and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

From Sept. 29: 'New Starbucks Coffee Shop Pitched In West Hartford'