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December 3, 2024

Proposed grocery store in Wethersfield could replace 'illegal' warehouse on Silas Deane Highway

Contributed A rendering of the proposed retail store at 1000 Silas Deane Highway.
By Andrew Larson

A Wethersfield property that has been used for a wholesaling operation for several years – without the town’s permission – could become a retail grocery store if the town approves a newly filed zoning application.

The applicant, Wanlong He of HWL Engineering in Flushing, New York, is proposing 3,000 to 20,000 square feet of retail space in the building at 1000 Silas Deane Highway.

The town’s Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to hold a public hearing on He’s application for a special permit during its meeting tonight, which starts at 7 p.m.

The building is about 100,000 square feet and sits on a 3.5-acre lot. It’s unclear how much of the warehouse operation would continue as an accessory use to the proposed grocery store.

An artist’s rendering of planned renovations shows a “Ken Foods” sign on the building.

According to the town’s planning department, the property is currently being used illegally for warehouse storage and distribution.

In October 2022, the town’s zoning enforcement officer issued a notice of zoning violation to the property owner, Ken Zhang, for “operating a warehouse/storage business not expressly permitted in an RC zone.”

The town’s RC zone (“Regional Commercial”) allows retail, hospitality, recreation and manufacturing uses, but does not include wholesale or distribution.

The town issued a cease-and-desist to the property owner in January 2023 and, in October of that year, began issuing $100 fines per day for the ongoing violation.

In March 2024, He applied for a special permit for a retail and wholesale operation, but town officials said those uses were not allowed in an RC zone.

He withdrew the application in June 2024 and the town placed a lien of $18,200 on the property – the balance of Zhang’s unpaid fines.

In an effort to obtain zoning compliance, He, who is Zhang’s engineer, submitted the new application on Oct. 31, 2024.

In 2021, Zhang’s business, KCH Trading Inc., bought the property for $1.6 million.

The building was formerly the site of a Weight Watchers frozen food factory, but has sat vacant for years. 
 

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