Ledyard Landowner Planning On Better Economy

The plan to divide 32.4 acres of land into five lots that are zoned for commercial industrial use at 1322 Baldwin Hill Road will be the subject of the Planning Commission's public hearing Thursday.

"We want to develop it and see who wants to move in," said property owner Chris McLaughlin of B & R Holding Company, LLC.

McLaughlin said the parcel of land, which is off Route 12 and abuts the town border with Groton, is ideal for new or growing businesses to keep an office or store company supplies, equipment and vehicles.

He said that the economy may be slow now but when it does turn around, he wants to be ready.

"I'm just trying to be ahead of the game," he said of the development. "You have to start getting approvals early."

The parcel of land sits above an active gravel yard and is mostly woods, according to McLaughlin. He said he'll be tidying up the area so that interested tenants can walk the site easily and that he'll be adding Leland cypress and arborvitae trees to the perimeter to provide a buffer for residents nearby.

The five proposed lots range in size from approximately one acre to 21 acres, according to the application. Each lot will have on-site wells and on-site septic.

McLaughlin said the plans are a "nice beginning" and if the economy turns around, he may develop the surrounding 240 acres that he owns.

"He's starting his industrial park," said Ledyard Mayor Fred Allyn. "I wish him well on it, we want businesses to come to Ledyard."