Farmington Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Recap: October 21, 2024
In a marathon meeting on October 21, 2024, the Farmington Planning & Zoning Commission covered an array of local issues, from sign size disputes to historic preservation and innovative energy storage. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key decisions and debates that unfolded.
1. Michael Tassanelliās Home Business Proposal: Aiming for Precision with Firearms Paperwork
Michael Tassanelli appeared before the Commission to seek approval for a part-time home-based business at 32 Junior Road, where he plans to facilitate online sales and handle firearm transfer paperwork. As a prospective Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), he assured the Commission that guns would not be stored on-site long-term, emphasizing, “No one will be coming to my home to buy a firearm, and there will be no deliveries related to the business.”
The proposal sparked concerns from Jacqueline Denny, a 60-year resident of the neighborhood, who said, “This is a quiet residential street. We don’t need firearms coming and going.” Tassanelli responded that any firearm transfers would be brief, by appointment only, and involve minimal traffic, with only one or two visitors per week.
The Commission approved the proposal with a vote of 6-0, with a condition limiting hours of operation to 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Vote tally:
- In favor: Matthew Bandel, Robert Canto, Rojia Afshar, David St. Germain, Bruce Polsky, Scott Halston
- Opposed: None
šŗ Watch the full discussion here on YouTube.
2. Alexander Farah & Holly Bensonās Major Home Expansion at 111 Wood Pond Road
The next agenda item addressed an application by Alexander Farah and Holly Benson to expand their single-story ranch at 111 Wood Pond Road into a two-story home with nearly 4,000 square feet of living space. The proposal aimed to convert an attic into a full second floor while keeping the existing footprint.
Although neighbors raised concerns about the size, with Teresa Nygren stating, “I never would have bought my house next door if I knew a 4,000-square-foot home would be built,” Farah emphasized that the vertical expansion would add only about eight feet to the structureās height and fit with the surrounding homes. “Many of the houses on this street are already two-story homes,” he said.
Commissioner David St. Germain expressed some reservations, noting, “It’s quite a leap from what’s there now.” However, the Commission recognized that the proposal maintained the original footprint and approved it with a 5-1 vote, with St. Germain opposing due to the size increase.
Vote tally:
- In favor: Matthew Bandel, Robert Canto, Rojia Afshar, Bruce Polsky, Scott Halston
- Opposed: David St. Germain
šŗ Watch the home expansion debate here on YouTube.
3. A New Era for the Farmington Historical Society at 729 Farmington Avenue
The Farmington Historical Society sought approval to transform 729 Farmington Avenue, a 7,500-square-foot Tudor-style home built in 1926, into its new headquarters. The five-acre property will be used to house archives, host exhibitions, and provide program space for lectures and community events.
Jay Bombara, the Society’s president, highlighted the need for more space: “Our current headquarters at 138 Main Street has become a storage nightmare. This new location would allow us to share our collection with the public and expand our programming.” The proposal also included a plan for an accessory apartment on-site, intended to house a potential future executive director or generate rental income.
Neighboring institutions, including the Farmington Land Trust, expressed strong support. Former Town Historian Betty Quakenbush stated, “I’ve been involved with the Historical Society for decades. I want to live to see this happen.”
The Commission approved the proposal unanimously, 6-0.
Vote tally:
- In favor: Matthew Bandel, Robert Canto, Rojia Afshar, David St. Germain, Bruce Polsky, Scott Halston
- Opposed: None
šŗ Watch the Farmington Historical Society’s proposal discussion here on YouTube.
4. Sign Controversy at Care Plaza: A Case of Visibility vs. Size
The meeting heated up when Sign Pro applied for a new sign at Care Plaza, located at 838 Farmington Avenue. The proposed sign was slightly larger than regulations allowed, but the applicants argued that it was necessary for visibility due to the site’s challenging location along a busy road with poor sightlines.
Commissioner Rojia Afshar sympathized, stating, “I understand the need for better visibility, but the sign does seem excessive.” However, David St. Germain and Liz Sanford expressed doubts, with Sanford noting, “The current sign is already quite large, and adding more height will make it intrusive.”
The motion to approve the sign failed with a split vote of 3-3, as the required majority was not reached.
Vote tally:
- In favor: Matthew Bandel, Robert Canto, Rojia Afshar
- Opposed: David St. Germain, Liz Sanford, Scott Halston
šŗ Catch the action from the sign saga here on YouTube.
5. Battery Storage Proposal Behind Farmington Sports Arena: An Electrifying Debate
The final significant discussion of the night centered on a site plan for a battery storage system behind the Farmington Sports Arena. The project, proposed by Greg Carey from RWE Clean Energy, aims to store energy for peak demand periods and provide backup power to the sports facility.
Fire safety was a key concern, as Commissioner Bruce Polsky asked, “How do we ensure this battery storage unit wonāt pose a fire hazard?” David Rains, Director of Fire Safety for RWE, reassured the Commission that the Tesla Mega Pack system would feature state-of-the-art safety protocols, including 24/7 remote monitoring and a dedicated emergency response plan.
The Commission decided to continue the matter to the next meeting to allow for more in-depth review and discussion.
šŗ Watch the battery storage debate here on YouTube.
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