PZC Action On Controversial Southington Apartment Project Delayed Again

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A controversial apartment building project in Southington was slated for action by the town's zoning board last week, but that action was postponed to next week.

In three separate Southington Planning and Zoning Commission votes, members unanimously tabled components of the project, meaning no timeline for a vote has been finalized.

The PZC next meets on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. at the John Weichsel Municipal Center, 196 N. Main St.

Southington PZC Chairman Robert Hammersley said the issue would likely be decided at that meeting next week.

3 Squared LLC out of Plainville proposes to build an L-shaped, four-story apartment building in Southington off 1104 S. Main St.

The apartment building would be located on a large parcel home to Rosewood Apartments (elderly housing), a jeweler, and Supreme Lake Manufacturing.

At the prior PZC meeting on Aug. 19, members finally closed the hearing after four months, but it tabled any action on applications related to the project until Tuesday, Sept. 2, where it was again tabled.

In order for the apartment building to get built, the developer needs the PZC to approve a text amendment in Southington's regulations to create an "affordable housing zone."

The PZC, then, must approve a change in the zoning district lines on the site, now zoned for business, to be included in this new "affordable housing zone."

Once those applications are approved, the PZC would have to debate and discuss a special permit to build the apartment complex.

A public hearing on the permits for the project opened May 20, continued to June 3, and, after a 21-day extension request, the hearing resumed at the last PZC meeting Aug. 19, when it was closed.

When the public was given the floor on May 20, no one spoke in favor of the project, while many expressed concerns and, at times, downright opposition.

Specifically, hearing speakers had traffic concerns about South Main Street as it is now, with a new housing development being pitched there only increasing those worries.

Those concerns were reiterated on June 3 and again, by commission members and the public, through Aug. 19.

At the quick Sept. 2 meeting, which lasted close to 27 minutes, the PZC didn't discuss the project and simply voted to table all three components of the project.

Before the closing of the hearing on Aug. 19, zoning board members clashed with applicant representatives about whether their questions were answered, specifically relating to parking plans and other issues the commission had.

With the proposals being tabled, the applicants have more time to try and address commission concerns and questions.

For the minutes of the Sept. 2 Southington Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For all documents related to the 1104 S. Main St. project, click on this link.

From Aug. 28: 'Hearing Closed On Controversial Southington Apartment Plan, But Status Unclear'