Opening Gavel, Long Agenda
Good evening turned long night as the Town Plan and Zoning Commission convened on June 23, 2025. Town Planner Shannon Rutherford called the roll—Matthew Bando, Scott Halstead, David St. Germain, Liz Sanford, Peter Zarella, and Mike Tucci sat in; Bruce Polsky and Robert Canto were noted absent. Chair Halstead reminded observers that the evening’s marquee item, a Waterside Terrace “informal review,” carried no public comment. 🏗️
Quick Vote: Septic on the Ridge
Michael Pollard sought a special permit to install a new septic system at 2 Old Pinnacle Road, inside the Ridgeline Setback (Article 2, Section 206E, R‑40 zone). The commission accepted the application and scheduled a public hearing for July 21, 2025—motion by Sanford, second by Zarella, unanimous “aye.”
Crown Equities’ 65‑Acre Pitch
Attorney Robert Reeve introduced Minneapolis‑based Crown Equities. Principals Jack Brandt and Tom LaSalle propose to buy roughly 65 acres spanning 3 Bridgewater Road and the former Plant 17 gravel pit on Farmington Avenue—across from Brickyard Road.
Zoning Puzzle
- 3 Bridgewater: zoned SA (Senior Active), once approved for 32 senior apartments (expired). Owner: Waterside 10 (Peter Fishman).
- Plant 17: zoned EE (Earth Excavation), owned by Plant 17 LLC (Stanley Majewski).
- Both parcels lie in the Midway Development District overlay, created to steer mixed use near Route 4.
Three “Neighborhoods”
Civil engineer Tom Daly outlined a trio of pods:
| Lot | Concept | Units (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Upscale townhomes | 30 | Buffer to Anthology, four parking spots per unit |
| B | Apartments or rental townhomes | 185 apts or 135 TH | Subject to traffic and affordable‑housing math |
| C | Single‑family, river‑view houses | 60‑80 ft lots | Luxury pricing, 100‑ft river buffer kept wild |
Bridgewater Road would extend east, loop behind Anthology Senior Living, hit Melrose Drive near the Mormon temple, and exit again onto Route 4 via a future roundabout. A ten‑foot multi‑use trail would stitch into the Canal Greenway; Daly promised kayak access to the on‑site pond but not the Farmington River itself.
Traffic, Schools, Affordability—Commission Fires Back
Commissioners pressed on congestion. Daly conceded Route 4 “has its limitations” but previewed a corridor‑wide study and an OSEP state traffic permit. Affordable‑housing incentives under the state’s Build for CT program are on the table; Reeve said 20 percent “middle‑income” units could credit the town’s 8‑30g quota if financing aligns.
Commissioners also flagged school enrollment volatility as redistricting funnels East Farms students into Noah Wallace next August. Rutherford will return with Board of Ed projections.
Gravel Pit to Cul‑de‑Sac: Engineering Ground Truth
Geotechnical borings done by Crown show stable strata beneath the pit. Daly anticipates selective fill, permeable pavers for visitor parking, and storm‑water “treatment trains” to protect the Connecticut Water well and maintain the river’s 100‑foot vegetated buffer 🌲.
Early Verdict: Skepticism, Not Rejection
Chair Halstead called the plan “too much for the spot,” citing cumulative apartment growth. Colleague Sanford warned of neighbors’ fatigue: “How many more apartments?” Yet commissioners welcomed the trail linkage and gravel‑pit reclamation. The applicant will return with full traffic counts, affordable‑unit details, and refined architecture after an ADRC design review.
Sponsor Love (With Climate‑Controlled Irony)
Need somewhere to stash your kayak while the commission deliberates? Farmington Storage keeps your treasures cooler than a TPZ agenda—155 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington CT 06032, 860‑777‑4001. Museum‑quality air so pure your vintage zoning maps won’t yellow. 😎
About the Author
Jack Beckett writes on strong coffee and stronger opinions. This dispatch brewed with a double shot from Einstein Bros. down on New Britain Avenue—because good zoning news deserves good java. ☕️
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This article, “Farmington TPZ Debates Crown Equities’ 65‑Acre Midway District Plan,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Farmington TPZ Debates Crown Equities’ 65‑Acre Midway District Plan”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY‑ND 4.0)
