Simsbury Releases Details for 'The Hartford' Charrette

In early September residents and taxpayers will have the chance to weigh in on the future of The Hartford property.

A collaborative land use study to explore possible future uses of The Hartford's campus at 200 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury will include an intensive “charrette process,” which will be held from Sept. 7 to Sept. 12, 2013. 

"We're hoping hordes of people show up," said Hiram Peck, the town's Director of Community Planning & Development. "It's a significant property with long-term impact for the town." 

Peck said there a several simultaneous actions for the property.

CBRE/New England (CBRE/NE) is currently marketing the property but it’s unlikely that just one large single user would occupy the space in the future, Peck said.

So concurrently, the town and The Hartford recently retained Gateway Planning to help guide the town through a planning process that includes the public input, property and market assessments and development of  “form-based” codes, a type of zoning that emphasizes design standards and physical form more than specific uses. 

The Gateway contract is for up to $174,990, with the town paying $30,000 and The Hartford the balance.

The charrette process is part of that contract and will include several sessions for public participation: residents are specifically invited to review, comment and participate in a broad discussion of future opportunities for this 172 acre property in Simsbury, town officials stated in a press release.

There will be two public polling exercises, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7 at The Hartford campus. The first session will take place at 10 am to noon. The same exercise will be repeated at 2 p.m. the same day for those that could not attend the first session.

In addition the public is invited to a Community Open House at The Hartford on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 pm to view the work produced by the consulting team up to that point.

The final public session, a Community Presentation, will then take place at The Hartford on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Gateway will also interview “stakeholders” and remain in town Sept. 11 and 12 to work on the project. 

Gateway will also provide support in presenting codes to the Zoning Commission, necessary revisions and “disposition support” to help with market analysis and more.

If you have any questions or comments, call the Simsbury Planning Department at (860) 658-3228 or email Hiram Peck, Director of Planning at hpeck@simsbury-ct.gov.