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Developers present plans for new multi‑tenant building and pedestrian connections at Maxis shopping center
Summary
Developers told the Old Saybrook board they plan a 7,500 sq ft multi‑tenant Building C that fills a leftover lot at the Maxis shopping center, adds sidewalks linking Big Y across the parking lot, relocates dumpsters and proposes a mix of brick, stone and hardy board to blend with existing buildings.
Dave Zak, a professional engineer with FA Husket Associates, told the Old Saybrook Architectural Review Board on March 23 that the development team plans to add a roughly 7,500‑square‑foot Building C on a previously held parcel adjacent to the Maxis shopping center, create a continuous pedestrian connection through the parking lot and reconfigure existing dumpster enclosures and parking.
Why it matters: The plan fills an in‑holding within an established shopping center, affects vehicle and pedestrian circulation, and could add restaurants or small retail tenants that change local traffic patterns and parking demand.
Zak said the project will not add new access to public streets; instead, it will extend internal sidewalks and close a private driveway to integrate the lot with the existing center. The team proposed two isolated dumpster enclosures—one for Building B and one for Building C—relocated from the middle of the lot to less conspicuous locations and added parking where enclosure footprints are removed.
Chris Bard from the architectural team described facade and material choices intended to blend with the center: a mix of stone and brick at lower levels, hardy board siding, and white metal panels as accents to break up the facade and create undulation rather than a continuous flat wall. Bard emphasized increased glazing along the street side to add visual interest and retail friendliness.
Board members discussed landscaping islands, street‑side trees, ADA‑compliant pedestrian routes and modest changes to site lighting. The team said it will relocate one existing light pole and add one new standard, and the board emphasized dark‑sky compliance and a preference for warmer 3000K fixtures. Members also recommended moderating sconce output to keep accent lighting from competing with primary barn‑style fixtures.
On leasing, the development team said Five Guys is an existing tenant and that restaurants are likely candidates for corner spaces; they described strong interest from national chains (the team characterized interest in Jersey Mike’s as "very, very high") and said a letter of intent is pending but final leasing approvals rest with the shopping center’s real estate director. The team acknowledged larger anchors such as Whole Foods remain possible but likely on a longer timeframe.
Outcome and next steps: The board offered generally favorable, informal feedback pending final material samples, photometric details and final signage and lighting specifications. The applicants were asked to return with finalized exterior material samples and any detailed photometric studies if required.
Provenance: Presentation and discussion begin at SEG 409 (site and project introduction) and continue through SEG 1150 (board comments and closing).
