Politics & Government

245-Unit Assisted Living Facility Planned For Mystic

On Coogan Farm Site, Plan Needs Town OK; Opposition Emerges, Favors Preservation

A Norwich-based developer hopes to build a 245-unit congregate care living facility on an 18-acre parcel in Mystic.

The parcel—part of the 55-acre Clara Morgan Coogan Trust - is the last remaining piece of land of its size and character in the area. Owned by the Coogan family since 1921, the parcel is sandwiched between Clara Drive, Coogan Boulevard, Greenmanville Avenue and Pleasant Street. The lot the applicant plans to build on is zoned residential.

The applicant's first stop is at the Inland Wetlands Commission before heading to Planning and Zoning Commission for a special use permit. The plan calls for a two-phase project beginning with a plan to construct 125-units comprised primarily of assisted living and “memory care” with phase two slated for-120 units dedicated to independent living.

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Inland Wetlands gets first look

Owner Mystic Senior Living Association LLC submitted plans that show a development that consists of one, two and three-story units with a total building size of 274,000 square feet.

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The plan was distributed to the Inlands Wetlands Commission Wednesday, and while abutters including a number of commercial and residential neighbors have been informed, there will be no discussion or public comment on the application.

A site visit by commission members will likely occur before its December meeting.

The applicant, Brom Builders of Norwich, indicates that there will be little development impact: less than an acre is considered wetland and no development would be within the requisite 100-foot buffer; with an average age of 80, residents will not impact local school populations; existing trees would be maintained; access to the site would be from Clara Drive and is “…compatible with the surrounding zoning,”—where commercial use abuts the site on three sides. The campus would consist of “8 distinct neighborhoods of units surrounding common living areas connected to a common central core.” The development would require more than 250 parking spaces, the applicant reports.

According  town records, the 18-acre lot on the Coogan Trust land is assessed at $235,000 with an appraised value of $552,000.

When and if the plan makes it to the PZC, public hearings would be held on the proposal since a special use permit is being requested.

Opposition emerges

The Florida-based design team for the project stated in an impact statement submitted to the town that the assisted living facility development “pays close attention and is sensitive to Stonington’s historical heritage…” The developer plans to retain existing stone walls while “adopting the natural setting” and slope of the property in its design concept.

At the same time, a three-page letter urges the town to help save and preserve the same area, known historically as the Coogan Farm with “most likely” an open space bond.

The letter authored by Maggie Jones of ,  and signed by a number of residents, major local business owners, state officials, and civic leaders including state legislators Rep. Diana Urban and Sen. Andrew Maynard, Executive Director Tricia Cunningham, President Stephen White, owner Michael McQuade, Joyce Olson Resnikoff of , and representatives from Pendelton Health and Rehab and , lays out the case for preservation: “…there is nothing else like it left in Mystic.” 

The 55-acre site is listed at $7.5 million on 's website. The assisted living facility is proposed for 18 acres of the site.

Jones’ letter lists a number of reasons why the land should be preserved from development. Jones writes that, among myriad other reasons, the land should be saved because of its archeological and historic importance, significance to the ecosystem including wetlands and wildlife, value as a buffer for the Mystic River corridor and Pequotsepos Brook, scenic views, agricultural, recreational and economic opportunities and value as a “greenway” filled with pastures, woodlands and cedar groves.  


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