Town Meeting Somehow Makes Tree Removal Sound Exciting: Farmington Tackles Ridge Lines, Parking Woes, and Nana’s New Pad

Farmington Town Council Meeting Recap: A Tree Story, A Cottage, and A Shout-out to Farmington Storage

On September 9th, 2024, the Farmington Town Planning and Zoning Commission convened to tackle issues ranging from environmental zoning to family-friendly housing projects. It was a meeting packed with local matters shaping how we live—and park and grow trees—in Farmington. Here’s everything you need to know (or want to know) about the key takeaways from the night.

Roll Call and Ready to Go

The meeting kicked off with the roll call of the commission: Chairperson Rosea Ash, Matthew Bandle, David Saint Germain, Liz Sanford, Scott Halston, Bruce Polsky, and Kyla Zimmerman all took their seats. Mike Tucci was absent. With the formalities behind them, Shannon Rutherford, Farmington’s Town Planner, steered the meeting toward the night’s main topics.

A Tree-Sized Dilemma: The Braga Property Ridge Line

Let’s dive into the evening’s biggest talking point—trees. More specifically, a plan to restore some 30-40 trees along Farmington’s protected ridge line, where unauthorized tree removal by the Braga family took place. Now, don’t clutch your pearls just yet—the Bragas were ready to make things right.

The discussion centered around the Braga family’s proposal to replace the lost trees and ensure the ridge line regains its natural splendor. The ridge line, which is protected by local zoning laws, plays a crucial role in preventing erosion and maintaining wildlife habitats. The removal of trees in such areas is a big deal, as it impacts not just the Braga property but the surrounding ecosystem.

Kathy Braga presented a detailed restoration plan involving a mix of hardwood and evergreen species—everything from cedar to mountain laurel—to cover the 6,000 square feet affected. The Bragas plan to plant extra trees (because nature, like party guests, doesn’t always RSVP) and carefully monitor their progress over the next few years.

The council, with a touch of humor and lots of tree facts, approved the plan with a few conditions:

1. Planting will be completed by November 15, 2024.
2. There will be annual reports over the next three years to ensure the new trees thrive.
3. A minimum 50% survival rate for the trees is required. Yes, this is how you quantify good gardening these days.

So, if you thought planting trees was simple, think again. It’s a highly calculated effort to keep Farmington’s ridge lines pristine.

A Cottage for Nana: The Accessory Dwelling Unit Plan

The next item was decidedly less woodsy but just as heartwarming. The Braga family presented a plan to convert an existing barn on their property into a cozy accessory dwelling unit (ADU) for Kathy’s mother (affectionately known as “Nana”).

The project involves transforming the barn into a beautiful one-bedroom home complete with a kitchen, living room, and a second-floor office space. Think of it as a perfect retirement pad, except it’s next door to the grandkids. The council was fully on board, with members commenting that this type of in-law unit is exactly what Farmington’s zoning laws were made for.

Starbucks, Parking, and a Sprinkle of Crosswalk Drama

After trees and cottages, the focus shifted to everyone’s favorite Farmington hangout: Starbucks at Naples Plaza. You’ve probably noticed it’s up and running, but behind the scenes, the council discussed finalizing parking details and improving crosswalk safety (for those of you who dart across the lot for your morning coffee).

Starbucks is working with the town to add a new crosswalk and some fancy lighting, because we all know navigating that parking lot can feel like a contact sport.

Let’s Not Forget Our Sponsor…

By the way, a massive thank you to Farmington Storage, your one-stop shop for all your storage needs (and maybe your new plant nursery, who knows?). They’re conveniently located at 155 Scott Swamp Road, and you can reach them at 860.777.4001. We hear they’re experts at storing everything except your neighborhood gossip.

And That’s a Wrap!

Thanks to everyone who joined the Farmington Town Council this week or tuned in via Zoom. Whether you’re here for the environmental regulations, housing solutions, or just curious about what’s happening in your town, we’ve got you covered.

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, keep an eye out for the next big thing in Farmington. Who knows? Maybe we’ll see a whole forest sprout up by November!