Town of Wethersfield

719 Silas Deane Highway - DiGiorgi/Renewal by Anderson Showroom

This showroom has opened in the Mozzicato plaza. A grand opening and ribbon cutting was held on Friday June 8, 2007.

312 Silas Deane Highway - Office Use - Saraci Allstate Insurance Agency

Construction and renovation is complete to convert this residential building into a small insurance firm.

Silas Deane Highway -Shop Rite Paint and Hardware

This building was recently sold and the space has been converted into a small hardware store.

2138 Berlin Turnpike - Koto Steak House

On July 5 a Certificate of Occupancy was issued to renovate this restaurant and convert it into a Japanese Steakhouse.

185 Broad Street - Silas W. Robbins House - Bed and Breakfast

A certificate of occupancy has been issued to convert this building into a bed and breakfast establishment.

86 Maple Street - Czako Automotive

An application has been approved by the Commission to renovate this space for an automotive repair garage.

295 Ridge Road - Granberry Homes - The Ridge - Phase 1

A TCO is anticipated for the first 13 units of this multifamily project.

1695 Berlin Turnpike - 5th Avenue Motel

Construction is now underway for the construction of a second building at this site to accommodate an additional 11 rooms. Plans were reviewed and approved by the PZC in April.

TD BankNorth - Wells Road

This project was approved by the PZC in October of 2006 and is now under construction. The Bank is operating out of a temporary trailer while the renovation and addition to the building is complete.

7 Rail Road Place

Working with the new owner of this site on permit issues related to a proposed gift and coffee shop.

365 Maple - Former Fonfara Dental Office

The PZC has recently approved plans to convert this building into a prosthetic and orthotics lab.

Comstock Ferre and Co. - Main Street

An application to the HDC has been approved for the demolition of the rear portion of the building to accommodate the creation of a mixed use retail-office and residential project and a new building fronting on Church Street is also planned. The HDC decision has been appealed. A meeting was held with the CT Trust For Historic Preservation to investigate the possible reuse and renovation of the buildings and we are waiting for their report.

1912 Berlin Turnpike - Office Buildings

The Building Official has ordered the demolition and clean up of this site. The property owner has submitted an application and plans for the construction of 2 small office buildings with approximately 5,500 square feet of space. The PZC will review the applications in August.

1260 Silas Deane Highway - Hartford Hospital

An inland wetlands application and a PZC application have been approved for plans that include an expansion of 13,000 s.f. to the existing building and parking lots to accommodate the growing needs of this medical facility.

61 Arrow Rd. - Phase 3

The PZC has a pending application for a new free standing cold storage building of approximately 5,000 s.f. This application will be reviewed in August.

9/11 Memorial Sports Center - 30 Greenfield Street

PZC approval was recentlu issued for the renovation and remodeling of the Pitkin Community Center.

Porch and Patio - 896 Silas Deane Highway

A foreclosure auction was held on February 10 and we have had several meetings with the high bidder. Interested in tax incentive and façade funding in order to support the project. An application for design review approval and a façade application have been approved for Pelton's Home Health Care.

Progress Drive

The owner has contacted staff about his plans to construct a 7,000 s.f. office building.

Goff Brook Shops - Silas Deane Highway

Spoke with developer representative about possible free standing restaurant use for this site.

1000 Silas Deane Highway - Former Weight Watchers

Continue to discuss potential redevelopment potential of this site with an out of state interest.

462 Silas Deane Highway - Victorian Gallery

The tenant has recently moved out of this building and we have been contacted by an interested buyer for the property.

Town Line Road - KFC/Hines Sudden Service

Staff met with owner's representative about possible demolition and reconstruction of buildings on this site to accommodate new restaurant and larger office building.

Jordan Lane - Former Porter and Chester Institute

Staff met with engineer to discuss possible site redevelopment for retail and restaurant use.

Former Fire House Grill - 1151 Silas Deane Highway

A conceptual plan to demolish this building and replace it with an Arby's restaurant was submitted to the PZC for pre application review.

Webb Deane Stevens Museum - Main Street

Staff met with architect to discuss preliminary plans to add space to the museum and to add parking and access improvements.

Silas Deane Highway Revitalization Program

• Continue to meet with property owners interested in the façade program. Have committed funds to 5 business/property to date totaling $115,000. An additional award of $50,000 has been committed for a new façade for the commercial building at the building housing the International Institute of Cosmetology on the Silas Deane Highway.
• Received 1 bid proposal on the streetscape project and are presently reviewing our funding options.
• Distributed copies of the intersection plans to all affected property owners in order to discuss any potential issues.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• Working with Greater Hartford Hotel Guide for a spotlight advertising section that will focus on Wethersfield businesses.
• Continuing to work with Keiler and Company to market the Town. They will be working on media relations, press releases and possible magazine and media stories that will be used to promote the Town.

Tourism

• Working with CTM to place an ad in their seasonal publication "What To Do" in Connecticut. This publication is free and is distributed at several hundred locations in the State.
• Working on a promotional piece for the Trolley and working on a promo piece for use with Convention planners.
• On June 19 the Commission received an award from the Central Tourism District.
• The Commission has offered to assist with the grant and planning for the Horse/Buggy rides in Old Wethersfield. An RFP has been prepared and is due back to the Finance Dept on Aug 20. We have received correspondence from individuals concerned about the way these rides will be operated.
• Working with the Convention Center regarding possible shuttle service to Wethersfield during the first weekend in October to take advantage of the AOPA convention and other activities going on in Town that weekend.
• The Commission has completed its annual report for distribution to the Council.

Redevelopment Agency

• The Chair met with the Chairs of PZC and EDIC to get feedback on the progress made to date and the Chair made presentations to both Commissions at their meetings.
• Working with Bond Counsel on Bond Question for August 6 Council Public Hearing.
• Working on Fact Sheet for public information for possible Fall Referendum.

Preserve America

• The Committee held an additional public forum for residents was held on June 20 with the JMA staff.
• The next Committee meeting will be held on August 13.
• JMA staff will be back in Town for meetings on September 19.

Planning and Zoning Commission

• The Commission has held several hearings on a proposal to create a new zoning regulation that would establish requirements for permitting rear lots. Testimony was received from the Fire Dept. with concern for permitting further rear lot development in Town. The Commission will discuss this matter again in August.
• A joint meeting between the Design Review and PZC is planned for the near future to discuss the establishment of an overlay commercial zone on the Silas Deane Highway and the refinement of our design standards.