FARMINGTON – Whether or not the Osborne Farm’s final crop would be houses was discussed at great length during a Monday night Planning Board meeting.

Again, the board opted to make no decision about the future of one of Farmington’s few remaining parcels of open farmland and the application to create a 10-lot subdivision on the west side of Osborne Road was again continued.

This was the third time that applicant Scott Dillon, who wants to develop the land along with his brother Thomas, has come before the board. Last month, a public hearing on the issue drew a full house, which included a handful of farmers who spoke out about the importance of wide-open farmland.

The Dillons have proposed two large subdivisions, East Grand View Estates and West Grand View Estates, off Osborne Road. Monday night’s discussion centered around the western subdivision, which proposes 10 house lots, ranging from two to 16 acres. The east side will be reviewed at later meetings.

The Dillons’ vision for property they purchased last summer has resulted in the largest subdivision proposal that has come before the town in several decades. For this reason, and because the plan proposes to divide farmland, the board is reviewing it closely.

Scott Dillon found himself in the hot seat at the Monday night meeting, where much of the discussion centered around the spirit of the town’s comprehensive plan for the farm and forest zone the land sits in.
Preserving open space
The town has the zone set up to preserve open space, and local attorney Frank Underkuffler suggested that meant setting up houses in a subdivision in a cluster, instead of having houses spread out over the entire property.

In a cluster arrangement, the houses would be backed into a certain area, relatively close to one another, leaving a wide open space.

Farmington Town Manager Dick Davis asked Dillon if he would consider clustering the houses, a request supported by Planning Board members.

Dillon said that he was against the cluster arrangement for this subdivision, but said he would look at it.

“I am not happy with taking that Osborne Farm and putting houses on it. I’d like it to stay,” said board Chairman Herbert “Bussie” York, a farmer himself.

Abutter Roger Perry also voiced opposition, firmly telling Dillon he ought to “bend over backwards to do everything he could to mitigate the effects.” People aren’t happy with this plan, Perry said, himself included, because the land in question sits in the middle of several of the county’s remaining dairy farms.

Dillon said requirements were that on the large lots, the fields needed to be cut each year. The houses would be at least 1,600 square feet and must have an attached garage. The siding could be either brick, wood or vinyl and only domestic pets would be allowed.

“They have to keep it looking nice,” he said.

In the end, the board opted to continue the issue and requested that Dillon provide a list of the covenants mandated by the deed. The issue will be taken up again at the next board meeting in May, and York said he would feel more comfortable making a decision then.
sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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