Simsbury commission approves special exception to convert 2 Farms Village Road building to special‑education school

The Simsbury Zoning Commission unanimously approved application ZC 25‑20 on Sept. 3 to allow the town and the Simsbury School District to use the property at 2 Farms Village Road as a special‑education school. The commission voted to issue the special exception after staff said the application met the criteria in section 12 of the town zoning regulations.

The building is the former Gerard Brothers Construction office and is about 6,000 square feet including the basement. Town staff and the applicant said the plan is to renovate the existing three‑story structure for small offices, small classrooms and activity space and to phase in occupancy for up to 25 students. No exterior site changes were proposed; existing vehicular access and a parking lot were shown on the submitted site plan and staff said the site provides about 31 spaces, including handicap spaces and drop‑off capacity.

Town staff identified the applicant as Tom Roy, Director of Public Works for the Town of Simsbury, filing the application on behalf of the town and the school district. Staff said the property is adjacent to the high school and that the location and access were consistent with the zoning standards for a special‑education facility in the Professional Office (PO) zone. Commissioners asked about the pedestrian connection to the high school and staff confirmed a sidewalk/multiuse path runs in front of the property and that interparcel access could be considered in the future if needed.

During the public hearing, residents asked whether traffic signal timing or morning congestion had been evaluated. Staff said the director of public works and the police chief had discussed the intersection and believed the existing permitted entrance could accommodate the proposed use; staggered arrival/dispatch times were suggested as a mitigation option.

The commission moved and seconded a draft motion finding that the special‑education criteria of section 12 had been substantially satisfied and requiring that the special‑exception certificate be filed with the town clerk prior to issuance of a building permit. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps noted by staff: the town will complete closing on the property, the school district will proceed with interior renovations (including ADA accommodations) and the special‑exception certificate must be recorded before a building permit is issued.

The commission did not approve any exterior alterations, changes to parking layout, or final construction permits as part of the special‑exception action; those would come back for review if they meet the threshold in the zoning regulations.

The record shows the commission and staff considered regulatory standards, site access, parking and neighborhood impacts but did not evaluate project budget or full construction permitting as part of the zoning decision.