Mystic ― The owner of a large piece of commercial property on Route 1 just east of Masons Island Road has received a permit to fill wetlands on the site, which has now been partially cleared and listed for sale.

The 7.23-acre commercial lot at 16-20 Stonington Road was purchased by GD Group, LC of Waterford in November 2021 for $260,000, and is currently listed for sale for $2.5 million. The site is located across Route 1 from Mystic Cycle Centre.

Mike Walsh, who co-owns Mine with Lyndsey Luna, a vintage store on the lot, said the property has recently undergone a great deal of clearing, and he and Luna are preparing to move their business.

“They’re working on the property now. They’ve cleared all the property to the side of us, and when we move out, I’m sure they’re going to clear our land,” he said.

Stonington records show a permit application to fill 4,960 square feet of wetlands toward the front of the property and create 5,000 square feet of wetlands in approximately the center of the lot was submitted by Cherenzia & Associates on behalf of GD Group.

Documents associated with the application show the owner’s intention to demolish the building currently occupied by Mine.

The application was approved Oct. 6 by the Stonington Inlands Wetlands Commission, and a permit was issued Oct. 27.

Town Planner Keith Brynes explained that the permit allows clearing and filling of the wetlands as well as creating a new wetlands area.

In his staff report, Brynes noted the property contains contaminated soil from various past uses, including an auto body repair shop, which will require remediation.

The application for the wetlands permit was accompanied by a conceptual plan for multi-family housing, retail space and a bank with drive through window. Brynes explained the purpose of the conceptual plan was to demonstrate why the owner wished to fill the wetlands and relocate them, and that a development plan may help to mitigate flooding issues along Route 1.

The property is located in Flood Hazard Zone AE, a zone defined as having a one percent annual risk of flooding and 26 percent chance in a 30-year period. Route 1 in front of the property often floods during heavy rain and high tide.

Documents associated with the permit application show the owner’s intention to demolish the building currently occupied by Mine.

Brynes noted that two more permits are required to remediate the contaminated areas of soil and for any planned development. Development would also require Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission approval.

In the meantime, the owners of Mine are clearing out inventory in preparation for their move to two new locations. They plan to relocate Mine to 44 Washington St. and also open a second store at 40 Washington St., described as a “new concept,” by Walsh, who said they are not making the details of the second retail space public at this time.

“We’ve literally put thousands and thousands of items out in the last couple weeks,” Walsh said, adding, “We’re basically doing blowout sales until we’re gone.”

He said Mine will be open through the end of the year and will reopen in the new location in spring.