Inland Wetlands Agency selects CHA as peer reviewer for 200 Hot Meadow Street application

The Simsbury Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency voted April 7 to select CHA to perform a third‑party peer review of application CC‑2602, the Hartford South project at 200 Hot Meadow Street. Staff said the application was deemed a potentially significant and "large and complex" activity, which triggers a peer review requirement.

Staff told the commission two proposals were received — from CHA and from Barton/BNL — and that the primary difference was the fee. "As from staff's perspective, because the applicant is paying for it, we of course recommend the lower fee," a staff member said. Commissioners noted prior positive experiences with BNL but agreed the proposals were similar in scope when judged on the materials provided.

A commissioner moved that the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency select CHA to conduct the third‑party review of application CC‑2602 and forward the selection and fee estimate to the Board of Selectmen for adoption by resolution; another commissioner seconded the motion. The motion carried with no recorded opposition.

The commission asked staff to have the contract executed promptly so the selected reviewer can provide a written report within the target review window; staff said the town intends to have the peer‑review report delivered as soon as possible, ideally well before the public hearing scheduled by other permitting bodies.

What happens next: staff will forward the selected firm and the fee estimate to the Board of Selectmen for a resolution authorizing the contract and funds. The third‑party review is intended to inform subsequent public hearings and the agency's formal action on the application.