165 apartments proposed for Evergreen Walk as Shake Shack, preschool approved
A 165-unit apartment complex is proposed for Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, while a Shake Shack restaurant and a new location for a nationwide private preschool were approved for the mixed use development near the Manchester border.
The public hearing on the proposed apartments was continued to the Jan. 11 planning and zoning commission meeting. The commission on Tuesday approved a 3,200-square-foot Shake Shack and renovation of 12,819 square feet of existing space for The Goddard School, a private early childhood education company, Town Planner Michele Lipe said.
The commission must approve a change to the current cap of 200 apartments (the existing Tempo development) at Evergreen Walk.
Commission members and the developer, Continental Properties, agreed that 10% of the new apartments would be affordable to persons or families earning 80% or less of the area median income as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD lists the median family income for the greater Hartford area at $104,260.
The apartment buildings would be constructed on about 8.5 acres, with 83 one-bedroom and 82 two-bedroom units. Also proposed is an outdoor heated pool, putting green, fire pit and clubhouse with multi-purpose room and fitness center.
The nationwide chain Shake Shack has five locations in Connecticut, according to its website, including West Hartford and New Haven. The restaurant serves burgers, fries, hot dogs, milk shakes and frozen custard, among other offerings.
Construction of a Whole Foods supermarket on the site is to start in the spring, and Lipe said construction of the new Shake Shack likely will start about the same time.
The Goddard School has franchise locations across the nation, including in Glastonbury, Newington and Rocky Hill. The schools are focused on children from infants to 6 years old. The vacant space to be renovated is next to Ted’s Montana Grill and included the Flatbread Company, which closed recently.
Of parcels that remain for development at Evergreen Walk, one is targeted for an independent living facility, while a bank is expected to submit a site plan application for land across from LA Fitness, Lipe said.
Just over the Manchester line near the Buckland Hills mall, Evergreen Walk won local approval in 2001 and opened in 2004.
Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com
