Commission approves Renew Developers’ small data‑center at 234 Riverside with stormwater and mitigation conditions

The Bristol Inland Wetlands and Conservation Commission on April 6 approved wetlands application 2066 from Renew Developers for a 1.62‑acre site at 234 Riverside that will host a small technology center designed for edge computing.

Attorney Matt Rene, representing Renew Developers, told the commission the project avoids any direct impacts to regulated wetlands and limits work to the 100‑foot upland review area. “It’s a very small data center that has on‑site, energy generation of its own energy,” Rene said, describing the proposal as lower impact than the prior auto‑oriented use.

Wetland scientist Matthew Gustafson of All Points Technology said he inspected the site on 01/10/2025 and found a single regulated perennial watercourse with a cobble bottom and steep banks. Gustafson said four wetland functions were present at a secondary (not principal) level and that the team proposes a mitigation package including about 4,800 square feet of riverfront enhancement and roughly 120 native plantings.

Engineer Obed Abdallah told the commission the existing site has about 33,528 square feet of impervious surface; the proposed plan reduces that to roughly 26,991 square feet, a net decrease of approximately 6,587 square feet. Abdallah described a catch‑basin and Coltec treatment system that he said would remove about 90% of total suspended solids before discharge.

Commissioners focused on where roof leaders and overflow would go in large storms and on maintenance of the treatment units. Bill Stango, the city engineer, urged the applicant to design on‑site controls to the 25‑year storm and to provide spot elevations so overflow routes can be verified. Abdallah said the team can increase Coltec capacity and provide test‑pit data and calculations “as a condition of approval.”

Several commissioners also pressed the project team about fueling and maintenance of construction equipment near the river. Commissioner Mike Robinson said he did not want refueling or maintenance within 100 feet of the wetlands. Rene responded that the energy portion of the project — fuel cells and related equipment — is under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Siting Council, which has already reviewed that portion, and that fuel cells are monitored remotely and operate outdoors. He said the applicant would accept conditions such as no on‑site fueling within the specified setback and a robust spill‑prevention plan.

Gustafson described proposed construction safeguards — a construction compliance monitor, contractor education, posted signage and routine reporting — and proposed two years of post‑construction monitoring with success standards (including less than 25% dominance of invasive species and targets for native cover) and reports to the town.

After deliberation the commission moved to approve application 2066 with conditions: redesign or documentation to demonstrate on‑site management for the 25‑year storm, placement of silt fence at the top of bank in sensitive areas (in lieu of filter socks), explicit spill‑prevention and maintenance requirements, and the post‑construction monitoring and reporting described by the applicant. The chair announced the motion carried; the applicant may next seek site plan approval before the planning commission.

Why it matters: the project replaces a previously paved, higher‑impact auto‑oriented use and, if constructed per the conditions, is intended to reduce runoff volume and improve water‑quality controls adjacent to a regulated watercourse. The commission required technical verification for large‑storm performance and added operational limits to reduce the risk of fuel or maintenance‑related contamination.

Next steps: the applicant will provide the requested calculations, test‑pit information and revised stormwater plans for town engineering review; the approval is conditioned on that review and the agreed mitigation and monitoring plan.