Planning commission reinstates preliminary plan for 20 Goddard Drive to allow time for final plan work

The Planning Commission approved a motion to reinstate the preliminary plan for 20 Goddard Drive, the former correctional facility, extending vesting to allow the new owner to complete a final plan submission.

Attorney Robert Murray said he represents Goddard Drive LLC, the new owner, and asked the commission to reinstate the preliminary plan "for at least one year until February 2027" to allow the team to finalize loading docks, parking, and other final‑plan details. He told the commission the project represents an approximately 200,000‑square‑foot industrial warehouse and that the end user will be identified in a forthcoming filing.

Staff recommended reinstatement consistent with the 2022 findings and the recent comprehensive‑plan amendment, noting required conditions from the original master and preliminary approvals still apply and that DEM (state) permits affecting the site were extended through February 2027. The commission moved to reinstate the preliminary plan consistent with staff recommendations and approved the motion (motion by Commissioner Coop; second by Commissioner Mancini). The public offered no comment on the item.

Next steps: the applicant intends to submit a final‑plan application for staff review; the commission’s approval restores vesting for the period requested by counsel.