Two Two-Family Homes Per Lot? Residents Push Back Hard
Backyards, Blasting, and Bigger Basements
On Monday, April 28, 2025, Farmington’s Town Plan and Zoning Commission (TPZ) squeezed a full summer’s worth of civic business into a single meeting, with topics ranging from a gift shop-turned-café to the future shape of Farmington’s housing landscape.
Curated’s Coffee Expansion: A Simple Blend, Approved
Patty Nevin, owner of GHA Designs LLC dba Curated, stood before the Commission to propose a minor but flavorful upgrade to her retail shop at 902 Farmington Avenue: a small in-house coffee operation.
Nevin described a setup with a compact kitchen at the back, five bistro tables along the windows, and an already-compliant ADA bathroom. She emphasized she would continue operating under existing hours, with no “heavy cooking” — just coffee, cold drinks, and light pastries.
Parking — often a third-rail issue in Farmington zoning — passed the sniff test. Nevin leases 15 parking spaces and has permission from landlord Bob Vanasse to share overflow parking with neighboring tenants like Shakespeare Café.
After a brief debate about whether to require a public hearing (Commissioner Robert Canto suggested it, citing potential Route 4 traffic concerns), the majority, led by Chair David St. Germain, agreed no hearing was needed. Planner Shannon Rutherford explained the change’s negligible traffic impact and compliant parking numbers.
A motion by Matthew Bandle to approve the site plan passed unanimously, with an “aye” vote from all present members: Matthew Bandle, Robert Canto, Rogia Afshar, Scott Halstead, David St. Germain, Liz Sanford, and alternates Bruce Polsky, Michael Tucci, and Peter Zarella. ✅
Church Street Home Expansion: More Space, No Outcry
Christian and Heather Gombos sought a special permit to expand their home at 21 Church Street with a 20-by-20-foot family room addition. The proposal would increase their total living area to approximately 4,100 square feet — well above the 2,400-square-foot threshold in the R-20 zone.
Bruce Polsky pressed the applicants about the size: “Almost a double-sized house… why do you need this to be so large?” Gombos replied candidly: a large family and plans to stay long-term.
Neighbors Peter Masco-Petista of 18 Church Street and Brian and Amy Cepardini of 5 Hart Street spoke in favor during public comment, praising the design and screening.
The Commission confirmed no trees would be removed, no new impacts to neighbors would occur, and no objections were registered.
After public comment closed, Commissioner Scott Halstead made a motion to approve the application, seconded by Liz Sanford. Again, the vote was unanimous. 🏡
Blasting at 71 Eli Road: A Potential Flashpoint Defused
Perhaps the most sensitive item of the night: Sweeney Associates LLC, representing Rachel Green and Brian Sweeney, requested a special permit for drilling and blasting at 71 Eli Road to prepare for construction of their new home.
Following a prior hearing full of friction, the applicants returned with what can only be described as a textbook example of conflict resolution:
- A revised blasting plan meeting Farmington’s stricter standards (beyond state requirements).
- Insurance certificates listing neighboring property owners, Nane and Mary Khalid, as additional insured parties.
- An agreement to hire an independent third-party blasting monitor.
- Updated drainage plans rerouting runoff away from the Khalids’ property.
Both parties appeared before the Commission. Mr. Khalid praised the Sweeneys’ diligence and rapid response: “If it was me, it would’ve taken three months.”
Commissioners likewise commended the neighbors for their cooperation. The motion to approve, made by Matt Bandle and seconded by Bob Canto, passed unanimously. 🎇
Two Two-Family Dwellings Per Lot? Commissioners Tap the Brakes
Closing the night, the Commission held a public hearing on its own proposed zoning text amendment: allowing two two-family dwellings on a single R-12 zone lot by special permit, provided the lot exceeds 36,000 square feet of net usable area and 75 feet of frontage.
Planner Garrett Daigle emphasized the amendment would apply to just 22 properties townwide — mainly on Garden Street, River Road, and Route 6 — and was intended to promote “adaptive reuse” of oversized lots without triggering subdivisions.
But residents Elizabeth Gemski and John Longworth voiced stiff opposition during the hearing:
- Arguing the “blanket” nature of the rule ignored unique neighborhood character.
- Warning of denser traffic and erosion of Farmington’s historic aesthetic.
- Raising doubts about whether this move meaningfully addressed affordable housing needs.
Commissioners expressed similar skepticism. Bruce Polsky noted the lack of clear public benefit and called it “more problems created than solved.” Chair David St. Germain acknowledged the need for more study.
No vote was taken. By unanimous consensus, the public hearing was continued to May 28, 2025.
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