Simsbury OK's Major Coffee, Mexican Chains For Development

SIMSBURY, CT — The town's zoning board earlier this month easily approved a developer's proposal to transform a former car dealership into a shopping plaza and new Chipotle and Starbucks shops.

The developer, Prospect Enterprises LLC, is looking to build a 2,400-square-foot restaurant, a 2,325-square-foot restaurant, and an 11,600-square-foot commercial building at 1263 Hopmeadow St.

That address was last the site of a car dealership, Wagner Ford.

After the public hearing on the project was opened earlier in the summer, it was closed Sept. 6 and voted on twice, with 5-0 zoning board votes giving the proposal the green light.

In the first 5-0 vote, the zoning commission approved a special exemption regarding lot coverage of the buildings on the site, which is zoned for business uses.

The second, 5-0 vote saw the zoning board say "yes" to the site plan for the developer's project, essentially giving Prospect Enterprises the necessary town approvals to develop the site.

While meeting agendas have not mentioned Chipotle or Starbucks, nor does the project's application cover letter, submitted plans show the artist's renderings of the commercial building, as well as a modern Starbucks location and a new Chipotle location.

Starbucks is a well-known coffee chain known for fueling caffeine fixes with a wide array of coffee drinks, as well as several specialty beverages and eats for non-coffee drinkers.

Chipotle, meanwhile, is a fast-casual Mexican eatery that offers fresh ingredients, but quick service.

In addition to the retail site and the two eateries, the development would also feature a drive-up ATM from an area bank, which has yet to be named, according to plans.

Prior to the hearing's closing, representatives of the developers discussed technical aspects of the plan, including turn lanes, ingress and egress to the site and other traffic issues.

They also outlined environmental issues and plans for remediation in light of the site's past use as a car dealership.

Ultimately, the zoning board endorsed the proposal.

The first motion indicated that Simsbury property values could increase given the added development in town is better than, say, a vacant lot that used to be a car dealership.

Four residents, though, did speak on the plan ... not all of them fully supporting the project.
Lori Boyko, Oakhurst Road, Simsbury, said she was concerned about plunging property values in town being caused by increased traffic, especially from a growing population in nearby Granby.

Others, like David Moore, Bob White Way, Weatogue, expressed traffic worries, especially with what is expected to be a busy drive-through to Starbucks.

For the minutes of the Sept. 6 Simsbury Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

From Aug. 29: 'Chipotle, Starbucks Plans Back On Simsbury Agenda'