What’s Next For A 250-Unit Suffield Proposal

SUFFIELD, CT — A proposed change to Suffield’s zoning rules that could set the stage for 250 rental homes at the former Laureno Lumber property will return to the Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday.

The commission’s official Aug. 17 agenda lists a continued public hearing, followed by discussion and a possible decision, on File 2026-5. The application from Selective Development, LLC seeks to change residential-density limits in the Town Center Village District.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room, 83 Mountain Road. It will be held in person with a remote Zoom option.

Importantly, commissioners are not being asked Monday to approve construction of a 250-unit development. They are considering a zoning-text amendment that would need to pass before a site-specific proposal could move forward through a separate special-permit and site-plan review.

Current regulations allow apartments or condominiums by special permit on qualifying Town Center Village District parcels larger than three acres, but cap projects at 45 units per parcel. The proposed amendment would replace that cap with a maximum density of 15 units per acre and add standards for projects with more than 45 units.

The version filed by the applicant calls for amenities such as a clubhouse, internal loop drives where possible, and at least 12 percent of units to be affordable to households earning no more than 80 percent of the area median income. Commissioners discussed potentially increasing that affordability requirement and calculating density using developable acreage rather than the full parcel.

Selective Development said it is under contract to purchase the 24.3-acre former lumberyard property at 42 Ffyler Place. During an informal February presentation, representatives outlined a concept with 210 apartments in seven three-story buildings and 40 townhouse rentals in eight additional buildings. The project would include one-, two- and three-bedroom units and a clubhouse.

The applicant’s own materials calculate that a 15-units-per-acre standard could allow up to 364 units on the Ffyler Place parcel if calculated using its full acreage, although the concept presented to the commission contained 250 homes.

At the commission’s July hearing, residents and commissioners raised concerns about traffic, infrastructure, environmental issues, school impacts and preserving the character of the town center. Town Planning and Development Director Bill Hawkins said the proposed amendment was consistent with Suffield’s Plan of Conservation and Development and housing plan, while noting that site-specific traffic, infrastructure and environmental questions would be examined if a future development application is filed.

Monday’s agenda also includes a separate proposal to set a public hearing for a 100-unit affordable-housing development behind 156 South Main St. That application is not connected to the Ffyler Place zoning amendment.

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