Planning commission continues hearing on proposed East Main gas station after applicant removes car wash and reduces pumps

The Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on June 24 continued the public hearing for SE‑26‑1 / Site Plan 1596, a proposal for a gas station and retail building with a drive‑thru at 472–478–486 East Main Street, to July 15, 2026 after the applicant revised the plan and requested a final 30‑day extension.

James DeMaio, a professional engineer representing the applicant, told the commission the car wash has been removed from the application and that the site plan now shows the building slightly shifted forward, the interconnects removed, and the fuel islands reconfigured. "We're currently proposing five fuel dispensers," DeMaio said, adding that the dispensers are pass‑through so vehicles can access pumps from both sides. He said the redesign increases the landscaping buffer at the front of the property and that the underground stormwater system remains a retention (non‑infiltrating) design.

The applicant described parking and stacking as follows: a retail building of roughly 5,200 square feet, 12 parking spaces plus two handicap spaces, and separate dispensing/stacking spaces (DeMaio said there would be 10 dispensing parking spaces and that drive‑thru stacking could hold about 11 vehicles before conflicting with flow). DeMaio also said deliveries for tank refueling would be scheduled at night: "All refueling deliveries from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.," and that the operator would limit large tractor‑trailer deliveries when possible.

Commissioners pressed on circulation, pedestrian access and buffering. Several members noted the single curb cut near the signalized intersection constrains access and that parking and drive‑thru circulation could queue into the site; one commissioner suggested eliminating a pump to create a continuous circulation loop. Commissioner Starley Arias recommended a marked sidewalk or crosswalk for the side parking bays to provide a pedestrian route through the drive‑thru area; DeMaio said adding a sidewalk could encroach on the residential buffer and require a waiver but pledged to continue evaluating options.

Planner Jeremy Leifer said staff had received the traffic study and other materials but would not have full review comments that evening. Because staff review and any necessary revisions were still pending, the commission voted to accept the applicant's final 30‑day extension request and continued the public hearing to July 15, 2026. No additional public comment was taken that night.

What happens next: staff will complete technical reviews, including traffic and lighting cut sheets requested by the commission, and the applicant will supply any missing technical details. The commission will reopen the public hearing on July 15 for further testimony, staff findings and deliberation.