The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a proposed site plan for Marcus Dairy to move its distribution center and corporate offices from Danbury to Hurley Road earlier this month.
The commission conducted a public hearing for the use of the building Nov. 5.
During the hearing Zachary Lessard, engineer with Civil One, said Marcus Dairy was applying for a special exception permit for wholesale distribution and warehousing in the corporate district from the proposed 27,488 square foot building located at 119 Hurley Road.
The building would also house the company’s corporate offices and vehicle maintenance area, along with a distribution warehouse.
The operation will employ 70 people.
Sean Marcus, the company’s operations manager, said the Marcus Dairy restaurant would be remaining on the company’s current site in Danbury at 3 Sugar Hollow Road.
“There will not be motorcycles on the site like there are in Danbury,” he said.
The remainder of the old Marcus Dairy property in Danbury is being redeveloped as an upscale retail center.
Marcus Dairy has been in Danbury since 1947.
The dairy has been winding down for several years.
In October, Marcus said the once industrial area in Danbury had become more retail based, especially with the addition of the Danbury Fair mall in the 1980’s and other nearby retail establishments throughout the decades.
“Our buildings have run their course of usefulness,” he said. “Now it is time for us to move our operations somewhere else.”
During the presentation of the site plan at a recent Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, Lessard said the project had already received approval by the Inland Wetlands Commission and the Fire Marshal.
The project will also involve 1,100 cubic yards of excavation on the property.
Town engineer Jim Galligan said that Marcus Dairy had addressed all recommendations and concerns related to the project.
Marcus said he hopes to start construction as soon as possible.“I would really like to get started in December, but it really depends on the weather,” he said.
Herman Schuler, the Oxford Economic Development Director, said he is happy the project is moving forward.
“This is an example of the type of quality business we want to have in Oxford,” he said.
