Frequently Asked Questions.
Where will Southford Park be located?
Southford Park is proposed to be located on a single, 77 acre industrial zoned parcel in the Light Industrial (LI-200) District. Warehouse uses are permitted as-of-right in the Town of Middlebury zoning regulations. The property address is 764 Southford Road located approximately within 1.1 miles northeast of exit 16 off Interstate 84.
What will the square footage of the Southford Park development be?
Positioned on a 77 acre parcel, Southford Park will be comprised of two single-story warehouse buildings, with a total size of approximately 669,500 square feet. One building is proposed to be approximately 130,000 square feet while the other is proposed to be 539,500 square feet.
Will the development be visible from residential areas?
The proposed project prioritizes a balanced and thoughtful design that maintains the natural vegetated green buffer of the property with additional plantings to shield the buildings from public view. The proposed project also includes a substantial land designation in the form of a 35.5-acre conservation easement to be conveyed to the Town of Middlebury. The easement includes an approximate 400' wide setback and buffer along both Southford and Christian Roads, ensuring the property remains unobtrusive to nearby residential areas. The proposed facilities will be set back in range of approximately 440’ to 1,100’ from the existing roadways.
How will traffic be managed?
The comprehensive traffic study completed for the proposed use of the site demonstrates fewer future daily trips than a potential new full building office user (replacing Timex). All site-generated traffic will be directed to a new, single shared driveway on Southford Road, with truck traffic restricted to a RIGHT TURN ONLY when exiting Southford Park. The proposed use of the property will help to reduce peak hour traffic, while restricting traffic on Christian Road to emergency vehicles ONLY will promote safer road conditions.
How will the project's proximity to I-84 affect truck traffic?
The site's close proximity to Interstate 84 (approximately 1.1 miles) will lead truck drivers to prefer the direct route to the highway rather than driving through local neighborhoods. Truck traffic leaving the proposed facility will be restricted to a RIGHT TURN ONLY onto Southford Road heading Southwest toward I-84, avoiding potential traffic impacts through the Town of Middlebury.
How will the development impact local wetlands?
The proposed project is committed to minimizing the environmental impact. All identified on-site wetlands have been delineated and verified by a registered soil scientist and professional wetland scientist and confirmed by a third party independent registered soil scientist hired by the Town of Middlebury. The approved filling of isolated wetlands (16,335 sq ft) will be entirely mitigated by creating a larger, more biodiverse and more productive wetland area (32,670 sq ft) on-site. A ten-year, post wetland creation monitoring program has been mandated as part of the conservation commission approval to ensure the success of the wetland mitigation area.
What economic benefits will Southford Park bring?
Southford Park is conservatively projected to significantly increase annual property tax payments by 296% over the existing use, providing a significant revenue boost for the Town of Middlebury. The proposed project will also create job opportunities and stimulate local businesses.
What environmental initiatives are being implemented?
Environmental stewardship of the proposed project includes creating a highly productive wetland area, a robust pollinator pathway, a ten-year invasive species removal program, and preserving the existing wildlife corridor. Per the Conservation Commission approval, the project will adhere to strict storm-water management practices and implement bio-retention basins to protect water quality.
Is there a current user identified for this property/project?
At this moment, there is no identified user for this property. The site has not been actively marketed to potential users as most prefer to understand timing and see a clear path to occupancy.
Could the buildings be built on speculation?
Yes, there is a possibility that these buildings could be constructed on speculation even before a user is identified. This is a common practice in commercial real estate to meet potential future demand.
Will hazardous waste be dumped on the site?
No, as a responsible developer and owner/operator, we would not consider options that dump hazardous waste on any property under our management. We are committed to maintaining safe, healthy environments. In addition, all tenants will be required to comply with all Town of Middlebury, State of Connecticut, and Federal laws and regulations.
What kind of goods do you envision being warehoused at the site?
The proposed facility may be used to warehouse finished goods, which could include a wide range of products, from household goods to food items. However, the specific use will depend on the user who eventually occupies the site.
What sustainable initiatives are being considered for the proposed project?
The proposed Southford Park project is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and has integrated several sustainable initiatives into the proposed project:
Enhanced Wetlands: The creation of a 32,670 sq. ft high productivity wetland, which is double the size of the current low productivity farm field, isolated wetlands to be lost. This larger wetland will bolster biodiversity and habitat diversification to support a more vibrant ecosystem in Middlebury.
Pollinator Pathway: The approved wetland creation will result in a robust pollinator pathway to nurture a wide variety of local pollinator species, vital for the health and diversity of Middlebury's plant life and insect population.
Improved Habitats: With a dedicated ten-year program for invasive species removal, Southford Park aims to elevate the quality and diversification of habitats for amphibians, reptiles, and other local wildlife.
Environmental Safeguards: Our project will employ bioretention basins and adhere to rigorous stormwater management practices, ensuring protection of water quality and maintaining hydrologic patterns.
Monitoring and Preservation: We have an approved ten-year monitoring program in place to oversee the success of our wetland creation and the overall quality of the site. Furthermore, we are committed to conserving the existing wildlife corridor and enhancing the wetland habitat.
Additional sustainability initiatives include:
Roof Structure PV/Solar ready
Robust landscaping
High thermal efficiency exterior wall panels
Increased number of clerestory windows for emitting daylighting.
Interior/Exterior Dark-Sky Compliant LED Lighting
Energy efficient, high R-value, Low-E windows
Bicycle parking facilities
Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities
Implementation of Building Energy Management System to monitor and reduce power and HVAC energy consumption.
Southford Park’s goal is an ecologically balanced development that not only conserves but elevates local biodiversity.
Contact us.
Whether you want to seek clarifications, provide feedback, or share your thoughts, we are eager to hear from you. If you have any questions or comments about the project, we encourage you to reach out to us through the form below.