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Zoning Commission OKs seven small “incubator” warehouses at 80 Walcott Road with technical conditions
Summary
The Simsbury Zoning Commission approved a site plan for seven small warehouse/incubator buildings and a single office at 80 Walcott Road, subject to town‑engineer sign‑off on stormwater design, a $15,000 erosion bond, Fire Marshal approval of emergency turnaround, and other recordation conditions.
The Simsbury Zoning Commission voted to approve application ZC‑25‑33 for a site plan at 80 Walcott Road, allowing seven small warehouse/incubator buildings (1,200–2,000 square feet each) and one office structure intended for contractor and light‑industrial storage.
Planning staff told the commission that the application meets the industrial‑zone use but identified outstanding technical comments from the town engineer on stormwater design and infiltration assumptions, and a Fire Marshal concern about adequate vehicle turning movements at the end of the access drive. Staff said the town had reached the statutory review deadline and recommended approval only if unresolved items were handled before permits issued.
Skip (Wilson) Alford, a registered professional engineer and land surveyor representing the applicant, said his team could address the engineering comments and proposed extending the access drive onto an adjacent parcel to eliminate a dead end and meet emergency‑vehicle circulation requirements. He also explained the site layout and said the buildings would provide storage and small shops for contractors and light industrial startups.
Design Review had recommended that the applicant vary building colors rather than using a single gray palette; commissioners asked about fencing and buffering for the adjacent manufacturing facility. The applicant agreed to consider a more robust screen than the chain‑link fence shown on the plan.
The approving motion recorded several conditions: substantial conformance with the Compass Enterprises site plan dated 03/14/2025 and architectural elevations time‑stamped 04/06/2026; submission of a $15,000 erosion and sediment control bond prior to permit issuance; delivery of mylars and recordation documents; submittal of an as‑built set before bond release; town‑engineer approval of stormwater design plans and specifications; and Fire Marshal approval of emergency‑vehicle access and turnaround. The motion was seconded and the commission recorded the vote as 6–0.
Next steps: the applicant must resolve the identified engineering and fire‑access items to the satisfaction of town staff before the building permit will be issued.
