Large Towing Company Expanding Into Southington

towing company Expanding Into Southington - Southington, CT - The Southington PZC voted earlier this month to approve plans for a New Britain towing/vehicle recovering firm to operate in town.">
The Southington PZC voted earlier this month to approve plans for a New Britain towing/vehicle recovering firm to operate in town.

Apr 15, 2024 11:41 am EDT | Updated Apr 15, 2024 11:42 am EDT

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A New Britain-based vehicle towing operation is expanding into Southington, with the company recently getting town approval to do just that.

Earlier this month, the Southington Planning and Zoning Commission approved special permit and site plans for the operation in two, separate 7-0 votes.

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As a result of the votes April 2, Sky Top Towing & Recovery out of New Britain will be able to expand operations to Southington at industrial property at 102 W. Center St., Southington.

The towing/vehicle recovery operation will occupy a portion of an existing building at that location, which is 3.5 acres in an industrial zone.

Steve Giudice, an engineer with Harry Cole & Sons out of Plantsville, represented Sky Top at a special public hearing prior to the two PZC votes.

Sky Top's application was tabled on March 19 to allow the applicant to work out some project details with the town and property owner, namely environmental site cleanup operations associated with a prior tenant.

As a result, Sky Top will take care of trash, debris, and large drums/totes filled with an unknown liquid on the site to expedite operations on the property, according to Jeremy Berube of Southington, who owns Sky Top.

"We had an on-site meeting with (town) staff and the applicant," Giudice said. "We walked through the property and identified items there that needed to be addressed."

The site will feature an enclosed area where, according to meeting minutes, no more than about eight vehicles will be kept on the site.

In addition, the PZC approvals came with multiple conditions, namely: all vehicles stored on site be within a fenced-in area on the property; vehicles must be removed from the site within 96 hours; business hours be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and no repairs/service/sales take place at the site.

Only one resident — Mark Mongillo of Alder Lane, Southington — spoke on the application, indicating concern about flooding/drainage on the site as well as the contaminants already there.

Mongillo, who owns property nearby, said the site, as it is now, is "an eyesore" and can be clearly seen from a nearby hiking trail.

"I first want to say that I am not opposed to anyone who has a business opportunity and the ability to have a business to keep people employed," Mongillo said.

He said he had faith in the PZC for doing what's best for the town and urged them to do so regarding this application.

Mongillo said other, similar businesses can grow into eyesores, even pointing out issues with other locations in town.

"I just would want to ensure that, when the application is looked at and examined, there isn't any fuzzy language that would allow this business go to beyond what Mr. Berube said he will be doing," Mongillo said.

Zoning board members easily approved the applications, with leaders on the board praising Skytop's willingness to take over the cleanup of the site.

"I applaud the applicant for being willing to clean this area up. It really isn't, necessarily, fair and I appreciate the effort and coming forward to to that," Southington PZC Chairman Robert Hammersley said.

"I'm a little bit torn on this one, but I think ultimately it's going to result in a better use of that property."

For the minutes of the April 2 Southington Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For all documents related to the Sky Top Towing & Recovery applications, click on this link.

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