Nathan Hale Apartments, AHEPA, Inc. - Elderly Housing Project - 1532 Berlin Turnpike

An application was approved by the ZBA and the PZC to permit the construction of an addition to the existing building to accommodate 42 additional units. A building permit has been approved. The project was delayed as additional State funds were pursued to cover budget overruns. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 1 at 11 am.

76 Country Club Road - Wethersfield Country Club

Construction is underway on a new maintenance building that will be used to store golf carts.

1715 Berlin Turnpike - Car Wash Facility

An application was approved by the PZC for a new car wash facility on the Berlin Turnpike on a vacant lot adjacent to Hooter's Restaurant.

Express Dental Lab - 286 Silas Deane Highway

Plans were approved by the PZC to renovate this single family home into a small dental laboratory.

Old Town Café - 181-187 Main Street- Outdoor Patio

An application has been approved to construct a small addition that will include and outdoor patio for patrons.

Folly Brook Boulevard - Age Restricted Housing

An application has been approved by the Inland Wetlands Commission for approval of a site plan to permit 12 units of age restricted 55+ housing units for a site located at the corner of Folly Brook and Spruce Street. A PZC public hearing on this application will be held on January 3 .

Old Reservoir Road/Back Lane - Harris Property - Age Restricted Housing

A zone change application has been approved for this property which would permit the development of this site for age restricted housing. The preliminary plans indicate the construction of 39 single family housing units under our new special residential development regulations. There was much neighborhood opposition at the hearing. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 3 in New Britain.

Doug Buck - 411 Hartford Avenue - Art Academy

Applications have been filed to renovate the historic barns on this property into a performing arts academy. The ZBA approved several variances at their meeting in December PZC applications will be filed in the next few months.

Fun Zone - Silas Deane Highway

Preliminary discussions have been held to discus the renovation of this building. The property owner has filed an application to the PZC for approval for a secondary means of access an egress from Mill Street.

Wellness Center

Working with a realtor interested in finding a site to construct a medical/wellness center in Town. Looking for 5+ acres.

Silas Deane Highway Revitalization Committee

• The preliminary report was submitted by Fuss and O'Neill on November 14 and was reviewed by the Silas Deane Highway Advisory Committee on Dec 12. Numerous comments were provided to the consultant regarding some of the preliminary findings and we are awaiting a response. The individual development site plans are nearing completion and we expect them to be submitted in January.
• Working with Hartford Business Journal to have an article written about the Plan and our Revitalization efforts.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• The Annual Salute To Business event was held on December 14 at 5:30 pm at the Wethersfield Country Club and was attended by over 140 people. Numerous awards were granted to recognize business achievements over the past year and recognition was also given to those businesses that have been in existence for over 75 years.
• The Commission has announced a new program aimed at encouraging local resident to shop at local stores and establishments. The details of the program are still being worked out. We will be working with Wethersfield Life to promote one local business each month. We have heard from the business community that they need some assistance with the promotion of their businesses to the Wethersfield community.
• In February the Commission is planning on sponsoring a workshop to profile successful business techniques that a cross section of the business community has found to work successfully for them.
• The Commission has started to discuss the creation of the façade improvement program for the Silas Deane Highway. A portion of our STEAP grant will be used to fund this program. The preliminary thoughts are to make this program a 100% grant program. The details of the program will be finalized and then submitted to Council for final approval.
• Putting together annual report on economic development over the past year.

Tourism

• The Commission is in the midst of negotiating with the National Trust for Historic Preservation on a scope of services for a Tourism Plan for Wethersfield.
• On November 29 the Town received notice that we have been designated as one of only a few Connecticut municipalities as a Preserve America community.
• On Dec 15 we applied for a $50,000 grant to conduct a comprehensive Master Plan for Old Wethersfield. The plan would investigate a host of issues including revitalization strategies, parking, traffic, streetscape, signage etc...we will not be advised of the grant decision until the Spring.

Planning and Zoning Commission

• On December 20 the PZC approved amendments to the outdoor lighting regulations including athletic field lighting.