Susan Hays of Updike, Kelly and Spellacy presented members with the latest idea from Ron Lyman of Lyman Real Estate for the parcel, which is located west of Sutton Road, just south of the ramp. It lies across the street from the On the Border and Dakota Restaurants. The idea, which would likely include an Olive Garden Restaurant and a retail building, would represent the third plan forwarded for the property.
The first, circa 1998, was for a TGI Fridays Restaurant and a hotel. The second was for an Olive Garden and another restaurant.
Both of those were rejected with open space commissioners raising concerns, many of which were due to the direct impact on wetlands.
"We've been trying to work with this property for over 10 years now," Hays said.
The new proposal would be scaled back in every way - from the size of the building, sidewalk area and parking. The 2007 plan for example called for roughly 265 spaces while this one would be about 174.
The commissioners also heard from soil scientist Dean Gustafson.
He said wetlands impacts would also be reduced and some improvements in the area would more than make up for them.
The lack of the second restaurant in favor of just the family oriented Olive Garden would also cut down on noise in the area, Hays said.
The property also presents other development challenges. In addition to the normal local and state approvals, the developer in this case would actually be responsible to construct a new access point to I-91 North by building a T-type system to replace the on ramp. That system would bring the T-shaped access down closer to the off ramp down the street. The Department of Transportation would require the change to allow access to the property from the Silas Deane since it is so close to the current ramp.
Town engineering technician Bob Alvarado said the T-intersection is a direction the town and state have talked about anyway.
While Hays did not have a formal price tag, the change could cost the developer in excess of $2 million.
The purpose of the presentation was to get input from the commission members before Lyman went to the effort and expense of formal plans. By taking into account any concerns from commissioners now, the developer hopes to save the time and expense of going through multiple revisions during the approval process.
The developers have also talked to Alvarado and other staff members.
The Open Space Commission has participated in such pre-approval processes for several years now but some in town are hoping to extend the idea to the Planning and Zoning Commission as well. Staff members also work with developers on that end of the spectrum as well, Town Manager Barbara Gilbert said during a recent Town Council meeting but some hope the Planning and Zoning Commission will adopt a formal pre-application review process. A public hearing on the issue will be held at town hall at 6:30 p.m. on July 15.
While open space commissioners did offer some suggestions for the Olive Garden/retail concept, some members praised the updated idea.
"I have to compliment you for taking into consideration the sensitivity of our comments," said Commissioner Dave Williams.