The Wilton Zoning Board heard a proposal to build 11 residential condos on the north end of downtown at 63 Forest Road, the former location of Intervale Hardware, on Tuesday night.
The proposed condos, as described by Timothy Sullivan and John Harrison in their application, would have two stories over a garage. The development would densify downtown and enhance the area’s revitalization, the applicants wrote, and improve on the former hardware store, which they described as a “rundown eyesore.” The condos and their parking lots would take up slightly less space than the property’s current structures, and would connect to municipal water and sewer, according to the plan.
The proposed structures and parking areas would encroach into the 0.87-acre riverside property’s setbacks, and exceed the zoning ordinance’s maximum of three dwelling units to a lot. The applicants are seeking a variance from those regulations, and are under contract to purchase the property from trustee Eric Rantamaki of the Richard Rantamaki Trust, according to the application.
The proposal got some support from the Wilton Economic Development Team, which submitted a letter to the Zoning Board in advance of Tuesday’s meeting. Although the standing buildings are historic, they’re in disrepair, the team wrote.
“The asbestos, river proximity and infrastructure issues, among others, have discouraged a number of prospective buyers,” they wrote. The applicants have also approached the Heritage Commission, proposing to preserve and incorporate the existing building’s mural into the new design, they wrote. Additionally, the new building would improve the line of sight along the road, the Economic Development team wrote. Team members were split on the appropriateness of the buildings’ size: Some members thought it would be too much taller and larger than surrounding buildings. There would need to be sidewalk improvements between the proposed condos and the downtown area, they wrote.
The ZBA heard the applicants’ proposal and began asking questions and inviting the public to ask questions, but continued the case to a future meeting when the meeting timed out at 11 p.m., Land Use Administrator Michele Decoteau said. The next Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 10.