Sign Up
for our Mailing List:
BIG-BOX RETAIL TARGETS SIMSBURY
Konover
Development has obtained an option on land east of Hopmeadow Street at the
southern end of Simsbury.
They have initiated plans to build a 130,000 square foot, big-box retail store
on the site as the anchor of a retail complex. A building of this size is twice
as big as a Super Stop & Shop and potential tenants would include a
Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, and Target. Other retail outlets would accompany
the big-box, and ultimately the entire 61 acre parcel would be built out.
Konover’s plan calls for widening a section of Hopmeadow Street to four
lanes.
The
Town of Simsbury
is currently in the process of revising its ten-year plan and has had
significant direct input from Konover and Mike Goman, its CEO. Zoning
classifications would be changed, as well as the approval process.
Town
residents are just now beginning to learn of this proposal and many are highly
concerned about the impact of big-box development on the town. Citizens’
discussions have focused on three issues…
*The unique
character, beauty and quality of life found in Simsbury. A 130,000 square foot retail behemoth at the front door of the town would
forever alter its visual signature and environment.
*Traffic and
safety. A 61 acre retail complex
anchored by at least one big-box would overwhelm Hopmeadow Street with
shoppers 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, re-supplying these stores
would bring a relentless flood of large trucks thru the center of town 24/7.
*Impact on
Neighborhoods. People move to Simsbury for its schools
and neighborhoods. Big-box development would send quality-of-life shock waves
thru adjoining residential areas.
All
told, the costs would seem to be plain and profound. As for the benefit….an
increase in net tax revenues… skepticism abounds. And there are other sensible development
opportunities for the same land that would provide higher tax revenues without
the same traffic and safety problems, for example, office buildings and senior
citizen housing.
Simsbury, like all
towns and cities today, needs to grow its tax base and town residents
overwhelmingly support economic development. But they expect development that
builds on and enhances the essential character of the town and that delivers a
solid cost/benefit outcome. This proposal fails those standards for many
residents.
As
Simsbury Homeowner’s Advocating Responsible Expansion (SHARE), we encourage our elected land use officials to adopt a Plan
of Conservation and Development and corresponding land use regulations that
will prohibit big-box development and better protect both Simsbury's essential character and long-term
community interests for the generations to come
By completing
this form, you are supporting our mission. Please fill out this form, so can
keep in touch with you.
Thank you for
your support!