FARMINGTON – A proposal for a controversial parking lot at 121 Pleasant St. was tabled by the Planning Board on Monday night. Chairman L. Herbert York had to use his gavel once to calm three neighbors who had engaged in a debate.

Loretta Bard presented a design for the lot created by E.L. Vining, but property abutters Daniel and Josephine Fisher voiced their concerns about drainage issues with the plan.

The Fishers contend that the foundation of their building was damaged as a result of a rebuilt driveway on their neighbor’s property, which increased drainage onto their property causing snow and water to build up under it. They said their foundation had sunk 3 to 4 feet. They said they never had a water problem until the driveway was rebuilt.

An abutting retaining wall on Bard’s property that was partially removed “collapsed on their property” too, according to Daniel Fisher. Bard claimed the railroad ties of the wall were rotting and needed to be removed for safety purposes.

Also at issue is whether the driveway that was built was done so legally. If the drive were in existence before the construction, it would be grandfathered and would not require Planning Board approval. However, the Fishers question the existence of the road or driveway prior to its reconstruction.

Planning Board member Thomas Eastler said he would research the issue through historic aerial photos.

“I’m not against a parking lot,” said Josephine Fisher. “Farmington needs parking lots; I could use one myself,” she said.

However, the couple claim their property has sustained $12,000 in damage, and they have filed a lawsuit against Bard for the cost of repairs.

Josephine Fisher said she has owned the property since she was 9. Now living in Tewksbury, Mass., she and her husband have been to Farmington six times for this issue, they said, adding that they are out $2,000 in expenses.

“I just want to be whole,” said Fisher.

Planning Board members had their concerns about the parking lot as well. The properties in question are separated by 17 feet, with the roofs of both buildings tilting down into the area between them. Since Bard’s property is higher than the Fishers, drainage is a concern.

Bard said with halting voice, that she was trusting her construction company to figure out the engineering issues.

Eastler moved that the proposal be tabled until Bard can present a detailed engineering design, admitting though, that Vining has done miraculous things in the past. The board voted to table the issue though Bard left the meeting before the actual vote saying she was agreeable to presenting a more detailed plan.