Enfield eyeing $40 million road improvement plan for 2026 vote

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Charts show the draft list of streets being considered by Enfield for improvement. [See detailed street list below story.] The plan is not final. Town Council approval and voter authorization is needed. Enfield may ask voters to approve about $40 million to rebuild roughly 17 miles of town roads. The proposal continues the town’s long-running effort to modernize its street network as aging pavement and rising costs put pressure on the system. Since 2000, voters have approved about $163 million in road bonding. That work has covered more than 150 miles, or about 83% of Enfield’s roads. Major road programs have typically gone before voters every five years. The Town Council has not approved anything. At a recent council meeting, town officials outlined the status of road improvements and the next phase. The council will have to decide how much to spend on roads, and then ask voters to approve it in November 2026. The town's presentation can be viewed here . [The PDF begins with the t...

Car Wash to Replace Former 99 Restaurant

Russell Speeder's Car Wash design presented to PZC at its Sept. 25 meeting.

The Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a Russell Speeder's Car Wash at the former site of the 99 Restaurant and Pub, located at the corner of Hazard Avenue and Freshwater Boulevard. The restaurant building, which closed last year, will be demolished to make way for a car wash and vacuum station area

Two-Step Approval Process

The project advanced in two stages. In April, the Norwalk-based company sought a zoning text amendment to allow car washes in the Business Regional (BR) zone, which covers shopping centers such as the Stop & Shop plaza. Until then, car washes were only permitted in the Business General (BG) zone.

The amendment was approved on a 5–2 vote, but only after debate. One commissioner warned of a potential “proliferation” of car washes, noting Enfield already has two on Elm Street. To address that concern, the commission added a requirement that car washes in BR zones must be at least 1,000 feet apart.

There was also discussion about whether a car wash fit the intent of the BR zone, which also allows higher-end retail uses. It was pointed out that the zone already permits gas stations and auto repair with special permits, and that the Stop & Shop plaza already has two auto-related uses, a gas station and Advance Auto Parts.

Final Approval Last Week

Russell Speeder returned to the PZC on Sept. 25 for site plan and special permit approval. The proposal won approval on a 5–1 vote, with one abstention. Opponents raised concerns about the layout and internal traffic circulation.

Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA

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