Wilton's Town Center Could Grow

WILTON, Conn. – Wilton village could expand across Route 7 in the next year if changes in the town's regulations and zoning are approved.

The site at 300 Danbury Road, known as Crossways, is requesting that the area be rezoned to become a part of the town center. The development, home to Dermage Spa and New England Historical Connection Furniture Store, among others, wants to do renovations and additions.

The rezoning plan would include the train station to connect Crossways to the rest of the village.

Crossways is zoned as general business, which is normally characterized by the types of buildings on Route 7 in South Wilton. By switching the zoning to town center, the owners would be able “to keep the village atmosphere” that is currently there, said Kevin O’Brien of Wilton Country Homes.

O’Brien represents the owners of Crossways. “We’re proposing five different uses here – retail, office, medical, residential and food service,” he said. The issue is in the parking, O'Brien said. Becoming part of the town center would give Crossways more leeway when it comes to its parking spaces.

It’s not just rezoning that O’Brien is proposing. He is seeking more residential space, which the lot already has, and also seeks to change the setback rule for the town center.

“Because in Wilton center they want you to be on the street, but on Route 7 no one wants to be on the street,” O’Brien said. Under current regulations, a building cannot be more than 20 feet from the road. This is done to promote walking in town, said Town Planner Bob Nerney.

It could take time for the changes O’Brien and his clients are proposing to get approved. Nerney didn’t want to speculate on whether they will or will not pass through all the committees that need to OK them.

“It’s hard to say” when the decision would be made, Nerney said. “But it’s a very structured process.”

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