Legislative Council members have unanimously approved providing a property tax break to a firm which plans to construct a gas station/convenience store on Church Hill Road at its intersection with Edmond Road.

The site at 67 Church Hill Road formerly held a vacant Shell gas station/convenience store, which was long considered an eyesore and was recently demolished in preparation for the new construction.

On September 17, council members approved the tax break for Consumers Petroleum of Connecticut, Inc (CPCI), which will call its new facility Wheels.

The total property tax break for the company, which would be spread across a three-year period in increments, is about $10,587.

The town uses such tax breaks as an incentive for local economic development.

Before the council’s tax break approval, Betsy Paynter, town economic development coordinator, told council members that the tax incentive had received endorsements from the Economic Development Commission, the Board of Finance, and the Board of Selectmen.

CPCI has cooperated with the town in terms of revising the planning for its project in light of some major road changes planned for that area, Ms Paynter said.

In the spring of 2016, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to start work on a $4-million intersection realignment project, which would shift the southern end of Edmond Road westward, so that it aligns with Commerce Road and Church Hill Road in a conventional four-way signalized intersection. The project is intended to improve travel safety in the area which has a high accident rate.

The Wheels site stands amid the area planned for construction.

Ms Paynter told council members that the construction planned for 67 Church Hill Road would make for “a nice addition” to Church Hill Road, near Exit 10 on Interstate 84.

Town officials have long sought to improve the appearance and functionality of the area, which is considered a “visual gateway” for travelers entering Newtown from I-84.

The one-acre commercially-zoned facility will include a 3,400-square-foot Colonial-style building, three dual-hose gas pumps, and parking areas. When completed, the project is expected to have an approximately $2.4 million value.

Following the council’s vote to approve the tax break, Chair Mary Ann Jacob told a CPCI representatives that she looks forward to the improvements planned for the site.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Wheels project in March.

Materials

Julie McFadden of Svigals + Partners brought a bag up with her when she spoke to the board. Inside, she said, were “some goodies.”

She pulled out examples of hardwoods that are proposed for the front exterior of the building, along with other examples before Lynn Brotman, of Lynn Brotman Interior Design, previewed some of the interior materials that are planned for the school.

“The outside materials are very much like the inside,” said Ms Brotman before explaining that when walking from the outside to the inside, people will experience similar treatments of the surroundings. Adding later, “…the whole kind of feeling that this building is in its environment.”

When approaching the school, Ms Brotman said people will walk on concrete lined with river rocks, and inside the main lobby area the “main street” will be stained concrete, with a lighter tone.

“So that you have a sense that you are walking on a street of the earth,” said Ms Brotman.

The corridors that will lead to the classrooms will have resilient tile rather than concrete, she said.

The walls down the main street corridor will have a “rolling wood” finish, and on a top portion of the wall will have “an element emulating trees.”

Overall the space, according to Ms Brotman, will share, “a sense that you are in an environment of the earth.”

Between carpet tiles and other materials, Ms Brotman said the school will be created with, “a nice fresh palette of greens and blues.”

Along with the efforts being made on the materials, a school safety design committee, according to Ms McFadden, has met several times to review various security measures.

At least one more meeting will be scheduled with the group, according to Ms McFadden. Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi Jr requested a future executive session be held by the school board for a full update on security measures planned for the school.