Wilton Senior Housing Proposal Faces Concerns Over Density, Traffic, Height

WILTON, CT — A proposed 280-unit senior living community on Belden Hill Road could undergo changes after Wilton planning and zoning officials raised concerns about the project's density, traffic impacts and building height.

The Wilton Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposal for 329, 331 and 345 Belden Hill Road during a nonbinding pre-application discussion Oct. 13, according to meeting minutes.

The development team, representing Hines SL Wilton Associates LP and SSND Real Estate Trust, sought feedback from commissioners on whether the proposed development was appropriate for the property and what its scale should be.

Following the presentation, commissioners expressed concerns about the project's density, traffic and building height. They also requested a review of plans for preserving the historic Vollmer House on the property.

The applicants said they would take the commission's feedback under advisement and return with possible changes, according to the minutes.

The discussion followed the developers' withdrawal of their earlier applications for the project. The applicants requested a new pre-application review in an Oct. 5 letter to town officials.

The original proposal called for a 280-unit continuing care retirement community on approximately 38 acres in a residential zoning district. The development would include independent living, assisted living and memory care accommodations, along with amenities and related site improvements.

The developers had also sought amendments to Wilton's zoning regulations to establish standards for continuing care retirement communities, according to minutes from the commission's Sept. 28 meeting.

During that meeting, officials discussed a petition submitted by neighboring property owners that would have required a two-thirds majority vote to approve the applications. The commission subsequently voted to continue both public hearings to Oct. 13.

At the Oct. 13 meeting, however, the project was considered through the pre-application process, which allows developers to seek preliminary feedback before proceeding with a formal application.

No approval or denial of the proposed development was recorded during the Oct. 13 discussion.

The Planning and Zoning Commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., according to the meeting minutes.