Business Owners, Candidates Discuss Technology Zone with P&ZC

Business leaders, political candidates and concerned citizens attended a Planning & Zoning Commission workshop on Monday evening to share their opinions on proposed regulations for a Technology Zone Corridor that would stretch along Route 195 from Goose Lane through to Anderson Road.

According to the draft version of the proposed regulations the technology zone would exist to "provide for technology and office uses which will serve as a transition to residential areas and to provide retail goods and services in a size, number and location that are are designed to serve and be accessory to office and technology uses." 

In these same draft regulations, the permitted site plans include retail or personal service business shops without drive-throughs, professional and research and development offices, and single family homes that already exist within the zone.

The aim of the commission on Monday was to gather ideas and concerns from citizens and property owners along the corridor, currently zoned as a Neighborhood Commercial Zone, before formal applications and plans begin for the area.

"One of the things that we wanted to do tonight is to start flushing out some ideas and essentially have a brainstorming session as to what people might envision this area to look like," said P&ZC Chairman Michael Cardin.

He called the proposed technology corridor a natural development, given Tolland's proximity to I-84 and the University of Connecticut, which is also creating a technology project on campus, according to the commission.

"It would seem natural to try and find a way for our community to benefit from that," Cardin said.

A common concern voiced from residents focused on the effect the corridor might have on traffic, specifically the intersection between Route 195, Anthony Road and Baxter Road, which was acknowledged as troublesome. The conversation also included concerns over a bordering Anthony Road and Rhodes Road, which could create a "cut-though" for traffic with a proposed access road to the site.

The commission assured the audience that the town and project developers would work with a traffic coordinator to find ways to prevent and mitigate traffic problems.

"I think this commission is really concerned about the traffic issues we have," said P&ZC member John Hughes. "When any of this stuff gets further along, the traffic and access is going to be a major consideration."

owner Wayne Johnson wanted more information on how the proposed zone will impact businesses already existing in the area.

"I'm just trying to get a feel for what the future is going to bring," Johnson said. "It's something that's been talked about, and now it seems more serious."

While the project is still in the very early stages, the commission promised that business owners and residents will have the chance to ask more questions and voice their opinions as the future commission moves forward with the zoning regulations.

"We're not taking this lightly," said commission member Susan Errickson. "We've been studying it since at least 2002. We're trying to do and get information so that we do the proper thing for the area. It's not something we're looking at and trying to make rash decisions on."

To see the draft regulations, visit the Planning & Zoning Commission Web site.