Farmington Subdivision Lot Proposal Draws Some Concern

Some residents are upset that a Farmington couple plans to build three houses next to a scenic roadway.

Martin and Karen Wand want approval from the town planning and zoning commission to build a four-lot subdivision on their 26-acre property that goes from Prattling Pond Road to Mountain Spring Road.

The commission voted to continue the hearing until April 13, according to meeting minutes.

Neighbors were concerned about preserving the area as well as runoff from a brook on the Wand property, according to the Hartford Courant.

A document submitted to the Inland Wetlands Commission by neighbors noted that there are seven homes for sale, two under construction and four unsold cleared lots on Mountain Spring Road. It also asked whether the area was already over-developed.

The submitted document also questioned whether removing an area of dense trees and scrub on the scenic road and replacing it with drainage ponds would ruin the aesthetics.

It also questioned whether enough research had been done about how the new proposed properties would affect downhill abutting properties for ground water levels, septic issues and property values.

Phil Dunn, chairman of the planning and zoning commission said the Wands have no obligation to runoff so long as its natural and the applicants aid their plan wouldn’t add to the runoff, according to the Courant.