Updated: Feb. 3: Public Hearing on Phases 1A & 1B of Storrs Center Project

Editor's Note: The public hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 1 has been rescheduled to Thursday, Feb. 3 due to the forecast for snow on Tuesday.  

On Thursday, Feb. 3, the Mansfield Downtown Partnership Inc. will hold a public hearing on the Storrs Center Alliance, LLC, and Education Realty Trust Inc. zoning permit application for Phases 1A and 1B of the Storrs Center project.

The hearing begins at 7 p.m. and will be held in Room 7 of the Bishop Center.

The project includes nearly 300 new residential units and more than 73,000 square feet of commercial space will be constructed by 2013.

The first phase of the project, known as 1A, includes 132 residential units (with "restriction against dormitory style construction") along with 29,400 square feet of commercial space, and is expected to open in July 2012.

The second phase, known as 1B, involves 158 residential units (with "restriction against dormitory style construction") and 44,000 square feet of commercial space, and is expected to open in July 2013.

On Jan. 19 the Mansfield Planning and Zoning Commission agreed to modify a special permit that was first approved by the commission in July of 2006.

According to Mansfield Director of Planning, the revisions are as follows:

• The previously approved Dog Lane - 1 building has been merged with an adjacent Dog Lane - 2 building.
• The automotive service building has now been separated from the Dog Lane - 1 building and a planned second floor over the automotive service has been eliminated.
• A fourth floor has been added to the portion of the merged building situated in the PB-2 zone. (Plans in 2006 called for a three story building).
• Three commercial tenants are now planned for the first floor of the portion of the new building situated in the PB-2 zone. (Plans in 2006 called for three floors of commercial use).
• A new parking area and associated drainage east of the Bishop Center drive have been reconfigured, and expanded.
• A new driveway north of the merged building is now connected to Storrs Road to enable delivery and waste removal access.
• The exterior treatment of the proposed buildings in the PB-2 zone have been revised. (Current plans are said to be more desirable than those presented in 2006).
• The revised parking area includes new storm water management controls to address storm water discharge.

After receiving public comment Thursday night, Padick will be left to determine whether the zoning permit application meets the approval criteria for the Storrs Center Special Design District, which has established guidelines for the Market Square, Residential areas, Town Square and Village Street.

Additional information is available at the Mansfield Planning Office, the Downtown Partnership Office at 1244 Storrs Rd. and on the town's Web site.