Politics & Government

Questions Surround Coogan Farm Senior Living Plan

Little opposition to proposed senior living facility but many concerns

At first glance the number of people gathered at Tuesday’s public hearing on the Mystic Coogan farm senior living proposal would suggest a battle brewing between open space and development.

The majority of those in attendance,however, seemed more curious about the proposed than anything else.

The developer of the proposal, Joe Mastronunzio of Norwich’s BROM Builders, gave the commission and residents a detailed overview of the plan. With trumpets from the practicing band sounding in the background Mastronunzio introduced members of the project team including the Florida based architect and Virginia based team that would manage the facility.

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Architect Kevin Bessolo took the commission and residents through drawings of the building plans saying it was important for the facility to seem as residential as possible.

“This is people’s homes, this is where they’re going to live,” Bessolo said. “We’re creating neighborhoods.

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While BROM Builders focused on the outcome of the plan, residents were most concerned about the neighborhoods and land already in the area.

No one spoke in direct opposition to the plan but residents voiced questions about plans for a driveway off of Clara Drive.

“Why is there no access from Route 27?” resident Ed Hart asked.

Others voiced concerns about the sharp turn on Clara Drive and the fact that emergency management personnel would only have one way into the facility. Following residents concerns, the Planning and Zoning Commission decided to ask for recommendations from the Police Commission.

Open space was also on the minds of residents. Residents questioned if Connecticut Light & Power had been consulted as much of the open space on the Coogan Farm has power lines running through it. There were also questions about the regulations surrounding the donation of the land and if the town was meeting the open space requirements as set out by the plan of conservation and development.

Several people spoke in favor of the plan. Resident, business owner and Economic Development Commission member Ed Planeta said the proposal pays outstanding attention to the needs of the community.

The town Economic Development Commission has saying the project would have a ‘significantly positive impact’ on Stonington and the Inlands Wetlands Commission has also given its approval of the plan.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will resume public comments and then staff comments at its Feb. 7, meeting. After hearing recommendations from the Police Commission, which meets Feb. 9, the Planning and Zoning Commission hopes to make a decision on the plan at their Feb. 21 meeting.


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