Reynolds' Subaru in Lyme plans expansion
Lyme — Reynolds' Subaru on Hamburg Road plans to expand next door with a new sales and service facility, housed in a building with a footprint of 15,500-square feet.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved last month the site plan for the facility, to be located at 272 Hamburg Road in a commercial zone near Hamburg Cove, following a public hearing.
The dealership plans to open the new facility sometime next year.
But several residents, who recently found out about the plans, have expressed concerns over the expansion.
The planned facility will feature a showroom — with a sales area, offices and a customer waiting lounge — and a pull-in service area.
An approximately 6,000-square-foot walk-out basement will be underneath the showroom on the side of the building facing the back.
Hayden Reynolds of Reynolds' Garage and Marine said the proposal for a new facility comes at a time when both Subaru of America and the local dealership are growing in sales.
Subaru of America has gone from selling about 200,000 cars in 2009 to just shy of 600,000 last year.
Kathryn R. Wayland of Reynolds' Garage and Marine said the facility will enhance parking and customer safety.
"We're trying to create a unique experience and carry on our tradition of creating a very positive customer experience," said Wayland.
Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman David Tiffany said Zoning Enforcement Officer Bernie Gigliotti put the application before the commission and held a public hearing May 2, though the town's regulations would have allowed the zoning enforcement officer to review and approve the application on his own.
A public notice about the hearing was published in The Day on April 27. Neighboring property owners also were notified by certified mail, Tiffany said.
No one from the public spoke at the hearing.
But some residents are advocating for a reconsideration of the expansion, saying that it doesn't fit the character of the area.
One of the residents, Skip Hine, said he came to the area for its historical value, proximity to the water and the quaintness of the town.
He said he feels the building would be "totally inappropriate" for the area and change the town's character. He said he doesn't want to stop progress, but there are limits.
"My major question is: just because they are legally able to do this and we missed our chance to speak up the first time, do they have a right to do something like that to change the face of this town?" asked Hine.
Hayden Reynolds said the family tried to design the building to be in keeping with the community's surroundings and it will be eco-friendly.
The new building will feature muted gray, wood-like siding with granite on its base, and trees that will be planted on the site as a buffer, according to plans.
Tiffany, the Planning and Zoning Commission chairman, said the plans were revised to better blend in with the surroundings during a process, which included preliminary public meetings.
He said the site plan conforms to the town's regulations, which allow car dealerships in that zone.
The Connecticut River Gateway Commission said in a letter that accommodations for the building design minimized any concerns "of visual impact within the Gateway Conservation Zone along Hamburg Cove."
Three buildings that were on the lot — a house and two outbuildings — are being demolished.
Reynolds and Wayland noted that they live, work and contribute to the community and the family's business has been in its location near Hamburg Cove since 1859.
Wayland, who also serves on the town's Board of Finance, said the decision to expand came after careful consideration.
She said she feels it is the "right step" for the sixth generation of the business and to leave a legacy for the next generation.
She noted that it's important for the business to be viable and continue to support its customer base, which typically requires investment.
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