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Simsbury design board gives positive referral for McLean healthcare expansion with design conditions
Summary
The Design Review Board unanimously referred ZC 26-07 to the Zoning Commission on May 18, recommending approval of McLean Affiliates’ plan to add 40 independent living units at 75 Great Pond Rd., subject to four design and plan-conformance conditions.
The Simsbury Design Review Board on May 18 unanimously referred ZC 26-07 to the Zoning Commission, finding that McLean Affiliates’ proposal to expand the McLean Healthcare Facility substantially meets the town’s design guidelines and zoning requirements. The project would add 40 independent living units at 75 Great Pond Road.
Vice Chair Polly Rice moved the referral, and Commissioner Andrew Tarpill seconded; the motion carried 6-0-0. Board members present who voted in favor included Chair Elaine Lang, Vice Chair Polly Rice, Commissioners Anca Dragulski, Joleen Benedict, Andrew Tarpill and Commissioner Kristin DuBois, who was seated as a regular member for the meeting.
Kenneth Hartfiel of Dimella Shaffer provided an architectural overview of the proposed duplex units, and Joseph Williams of Shipman & Goodwin, LLP presented landscaping and lighting plans. Board members discussed breaking up the two-car garage façade on the duplexes to improve façade rhythm and streetscape compatibility.
The board’s positive referral was issued with four conditions: the applicant should consider architectural elements to break up the two-car garage façade; the project is to be developed in substantial conformance with the Meadow Homes at McLean site plan set dated Oct. 7, 2025, revised through May 18, 2026 (the transcript includes a parenthetical listing May 18, 2025); the project shall conform with the McLean Homes Design Review Board architectural submission dated May 18, 2026 prepared by Dimella Shaffer; and staff are authorized to approve minor modifications to the approved plans.
The referral transmits the Design Review Board’s finding to the Zoning Commission, which will consider the site plan and special exception under Section 11 and 4.6.B of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations. No vote on the underlying zoning application was taken at the Design Review Board meeting; the record shows only the board’s advisory referral and the conditions listed above. The meeting was adjourned at 6:16 P.M.
