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Simsbury commissioners approve zoning change to allow yoga, fitness and other personal-service uses in Professional Office zone
Summary
The Simsbury Zoning Commission voted 6-0 to approve ZC26-10, a text amendment to Section 4.5 that permits personal service uses such as yoga studios and fitness facilities in the Professional Office (PO) zoning district; the change becomes effective June 15, 2026.
The Simsbury Zoning Commission voted 6-0 on June 1, 2026, to approve ZC26-10, a text amendment to Section 4.5 of the town's zoning regulations that will allow personal service uses including yoga studios, health and fitness and other exercise facilities to operate in the Professional Office (PO) zone by site plan review.
Planning staff told commissioners the PO zone is Simsbury's most restrictive category and currently allows only medical and professional offices, banks, churches and schools. The staff presentation said property owners are having trouble finding tenants limited to those uses and recommended broadening the PO allowed uses to improve economic viability.
The applicant, Dr. Winnie Lou, identified herself and said she is under contract for 507 Hot Meadow Street (the former South Street School) and plans to open an aerial yoga studio in the next months and a medical practice after her non-compete ends in July 2027. "I'm currently under contract with the current owner of the building at 507 Hot Meadow," Lou said. "I'm looking to open an aerial yoga studio in one space...and then I'm a physician and I'm planning on opening my medical practice there next year." The commission heard no members of the public speak during the hearing.
Commissioners discussed technical questions about the scope of "such as" language in the amendment and whether the town ultimately should remove or replace the PO zone in a comprehensive code update. One commissioner urged caution about vague wording; others said allowing complementary personal services would help reuse underutilized buildings without rezoning. The draft motion described the amendment as permitting the listed personal service uses in PO by site plan and included revised language dated 6-1-26 with an effective date of 6-15-26.
The motion was made and seconded (mover and seconder are not named in the transcript) and carried by voice vote, recorded in the meeting as passing 6-0. The commission noted the amendment applies to the five parcels currently zoned PO, including the property identified by the applicant as 507 Hot Meadow Street.
Next steps: the amendment language will take effect as stated in the approved motion; the applicant may proceed with any required site-plan review and permitting under the new PO standards.
