Windsor Locks OKs $5.5M residential development

A Windsor Locks developer has secured all land use approvals to build a roughly $5.5 million residential development on South Elm Street.

M&L Development Corp. last week unanimously received both a special permit and site plan approval from the town’s planning and zoning commission to erect the 22-unit residential development at 64 South Elm St.

The PZC approved a zone change for the so-called Heritage Farms project in March amid pushback from dozens of residents mostly from the South Elm Street area, meeting minutes show.

Gary Merrigan, a co-owner and Realtor for the development group, in an interview Tuesday said the greenlight from zoning officials means the project will kickstart before year-end, and will be completed in the next three to five years.

According to plans, the development will include 14 colonial-style townhouses and eight single-story ranches. Units are expected to range from 1,200 square feet to 1,800 square feet, and each will have a separate garage for homebuyers.
 
The property will feature a courtyard, gazebo, gardens and other outdoor gatherings spaces. 

Merrigan said the South Elm Street property is ideally located within walking distance of Windsor Locks High School, St. Robert Bellarmine Church and local retailers.

“This will be a very walkable community with no wetlands,” he said.

M&L Development acquired the South Elm Street property, which has a 1,500-square-foot home on-site, for $190,000 in Nov. 2018, land records show.

Established in 1976, Merrigan said his family run business has developed more than 200 residential units across Connecticut.