December 11, 2025
Members present: Mark Fiorentino, Meg Jabaily, Eric Myers, John Oates, Martin Schwager. Also present: Director of Community Development Abby Kenyon, Frank Fish and Suzanne Goldberg from BFJ Planning.
Granby Center Town Study
Fiorentino provided an overview of the study process, explaining how the study came about and what to expect from this meeting.
Fish and Goldberg discussed the public outreach during the study process; explained the proposed boundary of the proposed new Granby Center Zone; provided a high level overview of permitted and special permit uses in the proposed zone; explained the setback, area and height requirements of the proposed zone; detailed the proposed sidewalk and circulation plan, highlighting areas where parking could be located and where streetscape improvements could be made; and showed several opportunity areas and design concepts for those areas.
Public Session
John Morrone, 15 Maple Hill Road, asked numerous questions including how much the study cost, how much property the town owns, who wants to sell the property, why are people coming here, how much do the sidewalks cost and who maintains and is liable for them, who started this, why was it started, is anything going on behind the scenes and is the town going to buy this section. He commented about sidewalks and that there is nothing to draw people to the center to use them.
Ellen Thomson, 250 Salmon Brook Street, noted there is a need for sidewalks in the center and that the approved expansion of Julien’s will draw more people. She commented that the report references sustainability but there are no further recommendations about it. She also noted affordable housing is mentioned but does not seem to be addressed further. She supports duplexes and the 1–4 units for multifamily housing. Overall, she noted that housing and the environment should be part of the priorities.
Robert Flanigan, 24 Woodcliff Drive, advised the committee to use caution moving forward. Bill 8002 that was passed means the State now has control over towns and we should proceed with caution. Any housing that is put in must be approved by the state.
David Desiderato, 88 Simsbury Road, noted concerns about affordable dwelling units. He asked for clarification about accessory dwelling units and if single-family houses aren’t allowed in the proposed Granby Center Zone under the proposed changes, if existing single-family houses could still have an accessory dwelling unit if they wanted.
Kara Marshall, 45 Bushy Hill Road, noted the study is going in a great direction, and supports a focus on walking and circulation in the center area. She encouraged the committee to look at the process as part of future discussions.