Bloom Hill Farm decision delayed as developer invites public to site
BLOOMFIELD — A vote on the future of Bloom Hill Farm has been delayed by the developer, who plans to use the time to answer residents’ questions. The issue is expected to be decided one way or the other on Thursday.
Instead of taking a vote on the proposed zone change that could pave the way for a proposed car wash, 24-hour gas station, deli, ice cream store, coffee shop and possible future housing on the 9-acre site on Cottage Grove Road, the town planning and zoning commission voted to continue the meeting at the request of the attorney representing the developer, Michael Frisbie. The letter, dated April 14 and directed to Joes Giner, director of planning and development and Barry
Berson, chairman of the TPZ, attorney Richard D. Carella asked for a continuance to the commission’s regular meeting on April 22, in order to give Frisbie anopportunity to answer questions raised by residents andcommission members.
“In discussing this application with some of the neighbors and recognizing that questions remain about the subject property as it relates to this application, our client invites membersofthepublic, including the commission members and staff, to visit the site this coming Saturday April 17, 2021 from 10am to 2pm.,” Carella said in the letter. “Our client intends to mark out on the ground and identify the boundaries, buffers, and proposed locations of buildings to better inform the public of his intentions regarding the subject property development, and in particular the nature of the proposed uses in conformity with the zone change application.”
Residents who are worried that a zoning change at farm will lead to light and noise pollution, more crime and decreased property values, spent several hours recently testifying against the zone change andproject and have created a Facebook page to rally support against the Noble Energy gas station planned for 696 Cottage Grove Road. Some of the neighbors, who live to the west and north of the proposed development, also plan to picket the event Saturday.
Neighborhood residents Maura Riley said Thursday that she and others plan to stay engaged in their efforts to stop the approval of the zone change.
“We’ll be there tonight, [April] 22nd and beyond,” Riley said.
Giner said Thursday that inviting commission members to tour a property hasn’t happened in Bloomfield during his tenure but added that in some towns the commission members will go out on their own prior to the meeting and look at the property and the surrounding neighborhood.
“Once the hearing starts, the commission should not go out on the site without noticing it as a meeting and allow the public to tag along,” Giner said.
TownAttorney MarcNeedelmansaid that Giner should notify membersofthe commission that they should not attend the event.
“It protects both sides and ensures that it’s a level playing field,” Needelman said. “[The developer] can do it all he wants with the public, but commission members can’t be taking information at an open house.”