Torrington commission approves small rezoning at 19 Hillside, tables gas‑station site plan pending studies

The Torrington Planning & Zoning Commission on April 15 approved changing a small triangle of land at 19 Hillside Avenue from R‑6 residential to LB (Local Business), a move the city planner said is intended to allow a lot‑line revision and merge that parcel into adjacent East Main Street properties.

James Deo, the applicant's engineer, told the commission the rezoned portion measures roughly 2,208 square feet and would be transferred to the East Main Street lots to allow a proposed redevelopment that requires additional lot area and space for a 25‑foot landscape buffer. “We’re going to knock down the three structures along East Main and that one on 19,” Deo said, describing the lot‑line revision and demolition of the rear house at 19 Hillside.

City Planner Jeremy Lifer recommended approval, noting the request differs from a broader 2023 application that was denied because that earlier proposal sought more extensive commercial creep into residential streets. Lifer said the limited change aligns with the Torrington Plan of Conservation and Development and recommended the commission condition effectiveness on completing the lot‑line revision and publishing notice of decision.

Neighbors raised traffic, safety, lighting and environmental runoff concerns during the zone‑change hearing. “We don’t need another gas station,” said resident Alan Bunes, who urged the commission to consider traffic flow and winter safety. Hotel owner Raj Shaen submitted a written opposition arguing a gas station and car wash would increase traffic, risk fuel‑storage leaks and harm property values. Rebecca Connors of Hillside Avenue asked whether lighting and noise would intrude on adjacent homes.

Commissioners and staff repeatedly clarified that the current vote was limited to the small rezoning triangle and that any future gas‑station or car‑wash proposal would require separate public hearings and approvals. Several residents asked the developer to record deed restrictions (for example, prohibiting future commercial access from Hillside); Deo and staff said the commission cannot require off‑site deed restrictions and that future uses would return to the commission for review.

Following the public comments, the commission voted to approve the zone change with the condition that the change not take effect until the lot‑line revision is completed and the legal notice is published.

At the same meeting Deo presented a separate special‑exception and site‑plan package for an intended gas station, convenience retail, a drive‑thru and a 1,200‑ft car wash spanning 472–486 East Main Street and the rezoned portion of 19 Hillside. Deo described six dispensers, underground fuel tanks, an interconnect strategy to reduce direct access to East Main Street, an upgraded signalized intersection, and a stormwater system designed to treat runoff mechanically and line the infiltration system to avoid putting petroleum‑laden water into the ground.

Commissioners and members of the public pressed the applicant on the traffic implications of proposed interconnects to adjoining lots, whether the hotel’s entrance and parking would be affected, stacking capacity for the car wash and drive‑thru, DOT curb‑cut limits and how tractor‑trailer fuel deliveries would maneuver on the site. Deo said applicant teams are preparing a traffic impact study and updated plans showing vehicle turning templates, stacking counts, and how interconnects would affect neighboring parking.

City Planner Lifer recommended the commission continue the special‑exception and site‑plan public hearing to allow review of an applicant traffic study, an analysis of an existing culvert beneath the property for inland‑wetlands jurisdiction, architectural review materials, lighting plans, and corrections resulting from the city engineer’s interim comments. The commission voted to continue the gas‑station hearing to the May 20, 2026 meeting.

What’s next: The zone change will become effective only after publication of the approval and completion of the lot‑line revision. The gas‑station special‑exception and site‑plan proposal will return to the commission after submission and staff review of the traffic study, wetlands/culvert analysis, updated plans showing stacking and vehicle movements, and other requested materials.