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

  • jfitts0
  • May 23, 2023
  • 4 min read

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.

Valley Happenings

Summer Hours at Stanley-Whitman

FARMINGTON – The Stanley-Whitman House, a National Historic Landmark located in the heart of historic Farmington, has announced its summer hours of operation, in effect annually from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During this seasonal period, the museum will welcome visitors Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Group tours are available by appointment for groups of six or more. An adult must accompany children under the age of 13. For more information, call (860) 677-9222 or visit www.s-wh.org.

 

Avon Historical Society selected for fundraiser

AVON - The Avon Historical Society was selected as the July 2025 beneficiary of the program for the Big Y located at 255 West Main Street, (Route 44), Avon. The Society will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during July, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.

 

Simsbury Community Band concerts

The Simsbury Community Band invites you to our summer concert series! Bring your lawn chairs for evenings of great music and community spirit. Concerts will take place on the first four Wednesdays in July at 7 p.m. in the Simsbury Farms Ice Rink (100 Old Farms Rd). Free admission and fun for the whole family.

 

Canton Main Street Farmers Market

The Canton Main Street Farmers Market in Collinsville is open every Sunday with 21 full season vendors and another 12 who schedule appearances throughout the year. The market is open from 10 am to 1 pm every Sunday through Oct. 12 in historic Collinsville. Family-friendly with stunning views of the Collins Company and the Farmington River.

 

Book Collection at the Simsbury

Public library

The Friends of the Simsbury Public Library sponsors a Book Collection at the Simsbury Public library for their Annual Used Book Sale on Oct 4 & 5, 2025.

The book collection drop off runs through Sept. 13 on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

in Tariffville Room on the ground floor of the library.

Accepted items for the collection are books, complete games & puzzles, DVDs, music CDs, records, and recent computer software.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING: magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias, VHS tapes, or any item in poor condition.

Drop off is in the LOWER LEVEL Parking Lot for carts and volunteer assistance.

 

Avon History Museum grand opening

AVON –  The public is invited to join in the grand opening celebration of the new Avon History Museum at 8 East Main Street in the center of Avon on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5, from 1:-4 pm.  The Town of Avon and Avon Historical Society collaborated on an eight-year renovation to turn this 202-year old structure, once called Schoolhouse No. 3, into a modern museum about Avon’s history.

In honor of the new museum, it will be open daily July 4 – July 13 from 1-4 p.m. Thereafter, a sign out front will announce permanent opening days.  For more information on The Avon Historical Society, visit:  www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

 

65th Anniversary Exhibition

Gallery on the Green presents the 65th Anniversary Exhibition from  Friday, July 11 through Saturday, Aug 9. The Canton Artists’ Guild began in 1960 and has been continuously operating ever since, making it the longest running of any artist guild in Connecticut. The membership, which today draws on artists from 30 surrounding towns, is presenting work in celebration of this 65th Anniversary.  The reception is Saturday, July 12 from 6-8 pm and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free. 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

 

Music at Greenwood: Summer Talent Exhibition

Avon: On Saturday, July 19, at 4 p.m., St. Matthew Lutheran Church is hosting a musical talent exhibition to collect donations for the Canton Food Bank. This coffeehouse-style event will showcase the musical skills of members and friends of St. Matthew and other local churches. Snacks, coffee, and other beverages will be provided. St. Matthew is located at 224 Lovely Street, Avon. For more information about upcoming events, visit us online at https://www.stmatthewavon.org/music-at-greenwood.

 

Avon Free Public 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. Registration required where noted.

• If These Walls Could Talk: The Palace Theater Story. Tuesday, July 15 at 2 p.m. New this season, the Palace Theater takes the show on the road. As stunning as the theater is today, it has a dazzling past. Join us as we travel through the historic stages of the Palace from its inception, its heyday, its “seen better” days and its 21st century renovation.

• (Virtual Event) Relax Your Mind and Body Through Meditation. Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 7 p.m. Being relaxed can help ease stress and tension. It can also relieve anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Join Bruce Faithwick for this informative workshop. There will even be a short meditation sitting to try this out firsthand.

• (Virtual Event) Tea Travelers through China.Wednesday, July 16 at 2 p.m. Danielle Beaudette of The Cozy Tea Cart (TCTC)) and certified Tea Specialist will explain about traveling throughout China, from the tea fields of the Hunan Province to those of Anhui. We will present tea rooms in Shanghai and Beijing as well as historical ancient sites.

• (In-Person Event) Food in Connecticut History: An Archaeological Perspective. Thursday, July 31 at 2 pm. This lecture focuses solely on the food products that were found in Connecticut archaeological sites.  Specifically, it includes discoveries that have been made regarding seasonally exploited natural resources from the pre-contact period to the historical period, allowing archaeologists to determine the time of year sites were occupied. The effects of health, domestication of animals, and interaction with the natural environment all can be analyzed based on the archaeology of food.

 

Farmington Valley Acoustic Festival

The 10th Annual Farmington Valley Acoustic Festival is returning on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Winding Trails in Farmington. The festival headliner is Della Mae, a GRAMMY-nominated, all-women string band.

The Festival also features Buffalo Rose, Cold Chocolate, and The Tenderbellies. In addition, award-winning songwriters from local and nationally-touring acts will be performing. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $40 adults, and $10 children at https://windingtrails.org/music-festival or on Eventbrite.

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