top of page

Farmington Plan and Zoning approves Morea Road Plan, Rejects Expansion of Polo Club Events

Editor's Note: Additional details on both of these project votes will be included in our June 2 edition of The Valley Press.


By Paul Palmer

Staff Writer


FARMINGTON – The Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission has given the go-ahead to one hot project and denied another application that pitted neighbors against a local business.

By identical 6-0 votes on May 22, the Commission approved the application to build a 25-home cluster development on Morea Road, and rejected an application that would have changed the number of events that could be held at the Farmington Polo Club grounds.

Neighbors living along Morea Road had been fighting for nearly a year to stop the planned development by the Carrier Group to build along the Scott Swamp. They had raised concerns regarding storm runoff, groundwater, flooding, traffic, chemical runoff from lawn chemicals, and the impact on the wetlands and its inhabitants. Engineers working for Carrier presented expert reports to rebut many of the concerns that were raised and Commission members had previously said that they felt the town staff had provided strong oversight and all the staff concerns had been addressed. When it came time for the vote many members said it all came down to are the town’s regulations and rules being met.

“This role is not about what I like and what I don’t like, it’s about the town’s regulations,” said Commissioner Scott Halstead. “I don’t see anything here to say it shouldn’t be approved.”

Commission member Mike Walsh echoed those sentiments. “My opinion does not matter. We are looking at rules and regulations.”

The Carrier Group is donating 70 acres of the property along Morea Road to the Town of Farmington as open space. Opponents of the project had repeatedly asked why Farmington did not buy the property to preserve the land when it went up for sale. At a previous Town Council meeting residents were told that the Town did engage the seller but they could agree on a price. Monday night, that fact was part of the Commission members’ discussion. “This is a private property and if the town had purchased it, we wouldn’t be here,” said James Radcliffe.

“Should the Town Council have looked at purchasing this property? Maybe,” said Matt Hutvagner.

Approval by the Plan and Zoning Commission comes with 10 conditions that have to be met by the builder and the HOA of the development. The members made one change in wording to a condition regarding the testing for the chemicals that may be used on lawns of the 25 homes that could run into the wetlands. The original wording called for “Subdivision plans shall note requirement of Homeowner’s Association to implement an Integrated Pest Management plan for all usable area of each lot of the development.”

After discussion it was decided to change that wording to reflect that the HOA – which will manage the use of lawn chemicals – must provide their testing results to the Town annually. It was also made clear that if the groundwater impact into the catch basins requires redesign, it would have to be approved again by the Plan and Zoning Commission.

The second vote of the night was a decision to reject an application to modify the existing Permanent Special Permit Conditions for events at the Farmington Polo Grounds. In the end it was problems with horsepower and not the horses that moved most of the Commissioners to reject the request. Town Farm Development, LLC, which owns the Polo Grounds, made the request.

Neighbors had vehemently opposed what they said was loud music coming from polo matches and tailgating. But their biggest concern was the noise and traffic issues associated with the so-called “Coffee and Cars” events. They involve muscle cars coming in for an 8 a.m. start on Sunday to park on the grounds with their engines off. Neighbors along Town Farm Road and in the Devonwood area complained that the cars would show up as early as 7 a.m. on Sunday mornings, revving their engines and at times driving erratically. There were never any complaints regarding the activities of the boarding and riding of horses on the grounds. Town Farm Development has already taken steps to limit the noise from music and announcements from the polo matches being heard inside nearby homes. They have also said they would move the start of the car shows back to 830 a.m. and hire off-duty Farmington Police officers to patrol the roads. In addition, they would also prohibit anyone caught driving dangerously or revving their engines from returning to future events.

“There is so much back and forth, it has become one big enforcement issue,” said Commission chair Inez St. James. “I worry if we say yes, we are going to face adherence issues.”

Fellow Commission member Mike Walsh said his concern was not only the noise, but also what he saw as a lack of compromise from Town Farm Development toward its neighbors. “They have compromised on the noise from the equestrian related events, but I don’t think a best foot was put forward to compromise with neighbors was there.”

Part of the request from Town Farm Development was an adjustment in how non-equestrian events with fewer than 200 people would be counted. Their original request did not want those events to count against the current permit that allows 25 non-equestrian, non-polo events annually.

“We could be approving events for every day of the year,” said Hutvagner.

By voting to decline the request for changes to the special permit, it leaves neighbors with a half-full feeling. The vote means the existing terms that the Polo Grounds have been operating under for the last several years – including the Coffee and Cars events- stay in place. It will be up to town staff to monitor any complaints and taken any action they deem necessary.

“I think they took the easy way out,” said Devonwood resident Pierre Guertin about the Commission decision. “I’m not sure it’s gonna change the applicants behavior.”

When asked after the vote what the next step would be, attorney Christian Hoheb, who was representing Town Farm Development LLC, said he could not comment.

VAL_01.jpg
WHL_01.jpg

Valley Happenings

UPDATED:

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Farmington Polo Club, 162 Town Farm Road, Farmington

 

AVFD Deputy Chief of Administration Dave Theriault is facing a tough battle against Stage 4 cancer. The AVFD, along with Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1 and the Farmington Fire Department, is holding a pasta dinner to help raise money for Chief Theriault’s medical expenses. Cheese and crackers from 3:00-4:00 p.m., buffet from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and coffee and dessert from 6:00-7:00 p.m. In addition to delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie, the event will feature dozens of raffle prizes. Event tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 10 years old. They can be purchased at the door or online at www.HometownFoundation.org Contributions can be made via Venmo @supportDave or by mail to the AVFD at 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001. 

Canton Community Health Fund Applications

Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. Opens 2025 Application Season, on March 1, 2025, for Canton Community Partner Grants & Canton Scholars Pursuing Careers in Healthcare or Public Safety Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), opens its grant and scholarship application season March 1. CCHF encourages State of CT certified non-profits serving the Canton community to apply for Community Partner grants. In addition, graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety are invited to apply for either a Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship or a Pay It Forward Scholarship. Applications and informative Fact Sheets are available online at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.  Community Partner Grant and Scholarship awards will be announced in June/2025.

 

Avon Library events

AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203

• Antique Map Collecting 101, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/antique-map-collecting/

• Morning Book Club. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m., The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/tag/morning-book-club/

• Meditation for Balance and Inner Contentment. (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm.

• Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Fashion and the First Lady (Virtual Event). Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

• Hoop Skirts to Flappers: Eighty Years of Connecticut Fashion. Monday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

• The Golden Age of Hollywood. (Virtual Event) Tuesday, March 4 at 2 pm.

 

Simsbury Lions Club

The Simsbury Lions Club is looking for people interested in volunteering and contributing to better our town. Our motto is “We serve,” and we do so by volunteering at local events and donating our proceeds to serving interests in our community.

If interested, please feel free to contact Sandy Kremer at Tprkremer@gmail.com or Philip Painchaud at painchaudp@gmail.com.”

 

Winter sowing workshop

The Farmington Land trust is hosting a winter sowing workshop focused on raising native plants. Make your own up-cycled greenhouse from a milk jug and prep some beneficial native plants for the coming growing season. Sunday, Feb 2 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Farmington Senior Center. RSVP here: https://www.farmingtonlandtrust.org/event-details/winter-sowing-seminar-native-seed-planting

 

Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall

CANTON – The Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a lecture on “Following Our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Canton Community Center, lower level, 40 Dyer Avenue. Steve Messier, Lichenologist and former Science teacher at Canton High School will discuss the topic. The lecture is open to the public. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

 

‘Five Wishes’ at McLean

SIMSBURY – Join Kevin Baran, M.D., medical director, and the McLean Hospice Team for a special “McLean & Me Educational Series” presentation to learn how to talk about and record your wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. The presentation will be held at McLean’s Garmany Performing Arts Center, 50 Sarah Lane, Simsbury, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free but an RSVP by Feb. 4 is required as seating is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

To register, visit McLeanCare.org/Events, email Margaret.Clark@McLeanCare.org, or call 860-658-3718.

 

‘Art Throb!’ Exhibit

Gallery on the Green presents “Art Throb!” Exhibit plus a Solo Exhibit by Kathi Packer Friday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, March 15. An opening reception is on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free.

“Art Throb!” is a heartfelt Valentine’s Day celebration presented by the membership of Canton Artists’ Guild. The artists use a wide range of media including painting, prints, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media to represent the emotional intensity, joy and complexity of love.

In the upstairs Gallery, Kathi Packer has a solo show, “Another Tale.”  Packer notes that a friend’s casual invitation to go on safari in 2008 substantially changed the direction of her artistic journey.The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org; Phone:  860-693-4102

 

TABLESCAPES fundraiser returns to benefit the new

Avon History Museum

AVON – The Avon Historical Society invites the public to its sixth TABLESCAPES event showcasing up to 30 creative and original table settings on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the historic North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon.

This event will feature themed table settings from local professional designers, florists, businesses, individuals, artists and others featuring fresh floral arrangements, centerpieces and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the installation of professionally curated exhibits in the new Avon History Museum scheduled to open on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Back by popular demand will be a “Table and Barware Tag Sale” on both days. Admission to TABLESCAPES includes the tag sale. Tickets are $20 each pre-sale and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 before March 8.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can also call Harrop.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

FARMINGTON – Hearts, Hugs & Hope: An Alzheimer’s Support Group takes place Feb. 20, 2025, 6 p.m. at Farmington Station Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 111 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group is being offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month. If you plan to attend, contact Director of Compass Programming Katherine Jedynasty at kjedynasty@farmingtonslr.com.

 

Used book sale

AVON - A huge book sale will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 in St. Ann’s Church Hall, 289 Arch Road at Route 167.  Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($5 adult admission) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no admission fee).

Thousands of books will be organized in separate sections, including Fiction, History, Biography, Politics, Children, Music, Cooking, Sports, Art, Vintage, and more!  A large selection of Children’s books will be available.  Fiction books will be divided by hardcover, paperback, and trade paperback and sorted alphabetically by author.  DVDs, CDs, books on CDs, Vinyl records, and puzzles will be available, also.  Most books will be $3 or less with vintage and specialty books priced higher.

 

Daisy Days: All-Girls Summer Day Camp Experience

FARMINGTON – Miss Porter’s School, a renowned institution with a legacy of empowering young women, is excited to announce the launch of Daisy Days, an all-new day camp for girls entering grades 3-5 this fall. Starting this summer, Daisy Days will offer a unique, joy-filled experience designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire self-discovery in an empowering all-girls environment.

For additional details, visit pcgl.porters.org/daisy-days.

 

Artist demonstration

Avon Arts Association will hold a guest artist demonstration featuring  Granby artist Laura Eden on Tuesday, February 18 at  Avon Town Hall, 60 W. Main St., lower level, at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Eden will demonstrate egg tempera painting.

The demo is free and open to the public ($5 suggested donation). A workshop with Ms. Eden will be held at the same location in the Avon Room on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-2 with  set up at 9:30. Fee: $45 for members, $55 for nonmembers). www.AvonArts.org

Have a press release or story idea? Send me a note.

Thanks for submitting!

© 2023 by Train of Thoughts. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page