Great Pond's First Subdivision Takes Shape

What is arguably one of the most significant development projects in Windsor's nearly 400-year history is inching towards becoming more of a reality.

While the project enjoyed great support from the town and many residents last year, having gained approval at every level of local government, construction of its first subdivision is drawing near.

The development, which will include more than 4,000 new residential units and will potentially house over 7,000 new Windsor residents, is planned to be built with Great Pond as its centerpiece.

The pond will serve aesthetic purposes, but it will also serve as a recreational hub of the development. Paths circumventing the body of water will be developed, docks and a boat house will be constructed, and non-motorized boats will be provided for residents' use.

The "downtown" core of the development is set to be constructed first, which includes special zoning to allow for multi-use buildings.

Buildings constructed in Great Pond Village's center will house restaurants, shops and apartments. The center also includes space to be built for office rentals on the east side of Great Pond.

The entire project includes roads with names inspired by Revolutionary War battle sites.

Downtown Great Pond Village, which is being constructed to the south and extending just east of Great Pond, will include names like Lexington Street, Arlington Road, Newport Road and Salisbury Street — with several of the streets providing direct access to Day Hill Road.

According to Assistant Town Planner Lauren Good, the development includes special zoning regulations to accommodate some of its unique housing and business needs.

The project's zones are called "transect," according to Good, and range from T-1, which would be open space, through T-4 zones, which would represent high-density areas such as the village center.

The project also includes an employment district, zoned as ED, which will be constructed south of Day Hill Road and will not include residential use.

The entire development has a construction plan to be completed in 14-20 years.