Windham PZC: Dollar store plan needs revisions
Apr. 30—WILLIMANTIC — Windham Planning and Zoning Commission members plan to take another look at a site plan for a Dollar General store during an upcoming meeting in May.
Gold Star Post 1724 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is currently in the process of selling a 1.096- acre parcel at 1415 W. Main St. to Garrett Homes LLC, which is based in Torrington.
The sale is currently under contract.
The developer plans to build an approximately 10,910- square- foot Dollar General store on the site. A public hearing is not required for the application since retail stores are allowed in the zone, which is the General Business Zoning District.
During a meeting Thursday, PZC Chairwoman Paula Stahl said the property, which currently has a large lawn area, is a " focal point" for the town and it will be a " big shock" to people when the development occurs.
The property is located on the eastern corner of the West Main Street and West Avenue intersection and is bounded by the VFW property to the north, Stop & Shop to the east, West Main Street to the south and West Avenue to the west. It currently has open grass with a thin row of woods along the eastern property line.
Taxpayers approved the sale of the property during a town meeting in October.
That approval was necessary because, under a 1947 deed, VFW Gold Star Post 1724 owns the land, but the town would take ownership of it if the VFW abandoned use of the property.
The VFW is retaining a 1.25- acre parcel adjacent to the property the store would be on.
The PZC approved an application to subdivide the property in March.
If built, this would be the second Dollar General store that Garrett Homes LLC has
PZC, Page 4
