Nearly 200 Units Approved Along Enfield Border In East Windsor

EAST WINDSOR, CT — After a public hearing that lasted roughly three hours last Tuesday night, Feb. 24, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a large housing development proposed for 173 North Road.

The commission voted to change the zoning of the property to the town’s Planned Commercial Development District and separately approved a site plan and special permit for the proposed multifamily development and associated site improvements.

The project, submitted by North Winkler EW, LLC, calls for 189 total residential units — four apartment buildings with 152 units and a townhome section with 37 units.

The apartment portion will consist of four four-story buildings with a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. The townhomes are planned as two-bedroom units and were described during the hearing as for-sale housing rather than rentals.

During the Feb. 24 hearing, commissioners focused heavily on how the development would fit into the surrounding area. The applicant described the roughly 29-acre parcel as being designed in two distinct sections, with the larger apartment buildings placed deeper into the property and the townhomes positioned closer to existing residential areas near the town line.

As part of the Planned Commercial Development designation, the applicant also proposed reserving approximately 1.5 acres along North Road for a potential future commercial building. Representatives emphasized that portion is conceptual and would require separate review and approval if pursued.

North Winkler EW LLC is the entity behind the multifamily development approved along North Road near the Enfield town line in East Windsor.

The limited liability company is affiliated with Branford-based real estate investor Sachem Capital Corp., which previously owned the property before selling it to the development entity in 2023.

Public filings associated with the project list Ralph Sylvester as a vice president connected to the applicant entity, using Sachem Capital’s Branford business address at 568 East Main St.

Traffic impacts were a central part of the discussion, particularly at Wells Road and North Road. The applicant’s traffic engineer said the development would undergo review through the state’s Office of State Traffic Administration process and that signal timing adjustments could be evaluated as part of that review.

Commissioners also raised questions about utilities and infrastructure. The development is planned as all-electric, utilizing heat pump systems rather than natural gas service. The project will connect to public water and sewer, including a required water main extension along North Road.

Stormwater management plans include underground detention systems for the apartment section and rain gardens and vegetated basins for the townhome portion. The development team also discussed erosion control measures and protections for wetlands on the property.

Additional discussion covered lighting, buffering, snow storage and trash handling. Representatives said lighting would be designed to prevent spillover onto neighboring properties and that landscaping and fencing are included along portions of the site boundary.

With the unanimous approvals granted Feb. 24, the project now has the zoning change and special permit required to move forward.