The firm Buckhurst Fish and Jacquemart (BFJ) was selected by the Granby Board of Selectmen on Oct. 7 to consult with the Granby Center Advisory Committee to help determine the best direction to take in updating the center. The firm has studied the results of the poll distributed to Granby residents and the goals from the most recent Plan of Conservation and Development. These goals include improving pedestrian access; linking businesses separated by Routes 10/202, 20 and 189; and obtaining a greater mix of new housing units, particularly multi-family and rental units.
In achieving these goals, the intent is to maintain the center green as a focal point and to preserve the buildings in the Salmon Brook Historic District. Some of the infrastructure changes necessary in this project may include the expansion of the sewer, water and natural gas lines and adding lighting to enhance nighttime activity.
A hope for the project is that more people (who do not live or work in the center) will spend more time there. The recent survey noted that almost 60 percent of those visiting the center spent an hour or less per trip.
BFJ attended the center advisory committee’s Oct. 30 meeting, at which time BFJ’s Frank Fish reviewed the organization’s timeline. Starting with October as the first of 10 months, the group intends to have finished its work in July 2025. The first step is a review of the resident survey, the Plan of Conservation and Development and zoning regulations. The current action is to do fieldwork studying the area, including a market analysis, existing land use and development patterns and an assessment of infrastructure, identifying opportunities and constraints.
After that work is completed, the group will develop recommendations regarding the center design, transportation and connectivity.
During the Oct. 30 meeting, Fish noted that “the state may not be open to many changes so soon after its major project in the center.” Fish also questioned the three different zone sizes in the center. It was explained that these zones were created about 20 years ago to broaden the uses of the center, and that it was time to re-visit these regulations.
First Selectman Mark Fiorentino noted that the Salmon Brook Historical Society and homeowners in the historic district wish to be included in the stakeholders group. Bill Ross, president of the Salmon Brook Historical Society and Dave Roberts, chairman of the Granby Conservation Commission, spoke of their concerns during the meeting’s public session.
A meeting conducted on Nov. 25 occurred too late for inclusion in this issue.