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Planimetrics Presents Route 195 Development Overview

The Planning & Zoning Commission could discuss the new zoning regulations for the Technology Zone as early as January.

Planimetrics presented its latest 3-D visuals Monday night of a proposed technology corridor that would stretch along Route 195 from Rhodes Road to Baxter Street.

The Planning & Zoning Commission could start discussing new regulations to serve the commercial development as early as January 2013.

The informational meeting featured 3-D pictures of possible business developments that could cluster in 50-foot setbacks from the busy route. 

One potential road would link the private roadways that currently exist into Nerac and the Headliners plaza, while another parcel and road to the west of Route 195 is currently completely undeveloped.

Proposed Development Potential:

According to Planimetrics:

  • There is approximately 240,000 square feet available for buildings on the east side of Route 195, and room for around 1,000 parking spaces
  • On the west side, 150,000 square feet for businesses could be built with 600 parking spaces
  • All developments could be set back 50 feet from the road
  • The model assumes there are no water or sewer limitations; in reality development could be limited by the infrastructure that is available
  • Buildings are assumed to be two-stories high, although the slope in some areas would allow for a three-story building with minimal visibility from Route 195
  • Proposed road entrances would be at and across from Nerac, as well as an entrance from Rhodes Road

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P&ZC chairperson Marilee Beebe said that any commercial development in the area could be well-served by a proposed multi-family home project that would be built along Route 195 and Anthony Road.

"We'd be looking to make sure there is a plan of connectivity there," Beebe said, so that residents of the development could easily travel to the potential commercial offices.

Town Planner Linda Farmer said that the Planimetrics overview would be brought before the Public Safety Department and the Economic Development Commission for review.

Planimetrics Senior Planner Heidi Samokar said that she would expect full commercial development of the area to build up over ten years or more. While Planimetrics can create visuals and projected development, any commercial projects are ultimately brought forward by the area's property owners.

The presentation and a 3-D video of the potential development will be available on the town's website later this week.

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q May 21, 2013 at 01:25 pm
"Minimal impact" means some. Retiring debts over the next few years is a good thing andRead More doesn't mean you should borrow more. Perhaps when those debts are paid off there will be a little more money available to meet the basic needs of the schools and the town departments. As wonderful as the expansion sounds, it is not an immediate need - it is a "want". We know the potential benefits of the expansion. Please give specifics as to the cost per taxpayer per year and for how long to pay off this specific project. Thank you.
Betty-Lou Griffin May 21, 2013 at 11:48 am
The "complete reworking of the library" only included HVAC renovations being done on theRead More whole building, repair of the leaking roof and skylight that was ruining the library, and replacement of the circulation desk. No space was added. I am glad to hear that you recognize the benefits of expanded library space. Town Manager Steven Werbner has indicated that Tolland will be retiring several debts over the next several years, and this expansion would therefore have minimal impact on Tolland's debt burden or tax level. If we wait, multiple existing grant opportunities may disappear. Let's NOT wait another decade to address this problem. Let's at least send it to public hearing and referendum so that we can have a sincere and wide-reaching community discussion on this important issue, and allow our citizens the OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.
q May 21, 2013 at 09:33 am
Love the idea of an expanded library space, but is the time really now? We couldn't even afford toRead More fully fund our school and town budgets for next year. We will be experiencing a lower quality of education and reduced town services and until we can bring that back up to par we should not be taking on new debt. Just a quick look at next year's budget shows we are still paying on the new High School, the Geothermal project, bonding for roads improvement, sewers, open space bonds, Cross Farms development, the new Library roof, and now the artificial turf/lights project at THS. Even if some grants are available to help with the cost, the Library Expansion Project will add more debt for the town (taxpayers). Is this really the time to do that?
q May 21, 2013 at 10:10 am
Love the idea of an expanded library, but we saw with this latest school/town budget that this townRead More cannot afford to maintain the level of education and town services we now have. How much will this library extension cost per year per taxpayer? Perhaps we should pay off some of our existing debt (including all the new debt incurred in just the past 3 years) before taking on new. Also, you mention the need for quiet tutoring rooms. Are these paid tutors you're referring to? If so, will they be charged rental fees for using the spaces paid for by the taxpayers? Aren't there spaces available at the new Rec Center at Parker? How about space at the schools? With fewer teachers and fewer students there are now empty classrooms.