Joanne Lawson
Coverage (19 articles)
Farmington Historic District Commission Lets 7 Church Street Skip Its Fence
The Farmington Historic District Commission approved a picket fence at 7 Church Street on May 19 and called it the last exterior detail on a house it had reviewed in stages since March 2025. On July 21 the owners said they would rather skip the fence and plant shrubs instead. That change came in as a planner's report, not an application, so there was no hearing, no vote, and no new certificate.
Farmington Historic District Commission Approves an Oil Tank Already Installed
The new oil tank behind 772 Farmington Avenue was installed, the bollards reset, and the screening panel built and painted before the Farmington Historic District Commission ever voted on it. On July 21 the commission approved the work as presented, in under nine minutes, without a question about it. The owner apologized twice for the order of operations, and then made the only case for the work's appropriateness himself.
Farmington Weighs Annex Plan, School HVAC Bonding And a Long List of Capital Needs
At a lengthy Feb. 24 hearing, Farmington officials and residents focused on a proposed Town Hall Annex overhaul, a $14.3 million elementary school HVAC bond, road spending, and unresolved questions over the high school track and turf field.
Farmington HDC Meeting Nov 2025: Mountain Road & Church Street Updates
The Farmington HDC navigates the nuances of vinyl cladding, steel doors, and hewn crosses. From 14 Mountain Road to the crumbling silo at the Tint Barn, preservation remains a detailed art.
Farmington HDC Meeting Nov 2025: Mountain Road & More
Historic District Commission November 2025 meeting notes and approvals.
Farmington Historic District Commission Approves Church Renovations, Debates Memorial Cross Placement
Historic District Commission Juggles Church Signs, Windows, and a Wandering Cross A wooden memorial cross needs a home. A church signpost leans to one side. And 41 windows wait for replacement. Welcome to the October 21, 2025 meeting of Farmington’s Historic District Commission, where four members tackled five applications after Cliff Max resigned and left…
Farmington–Avon Plan America 250 Celebration: Fireworks, Music, and a Shared Budget at 99 Thompson Road
Farmington weighs an America 250 celebration with Avon: fireworks, music, food trucks, and history tents—plus a budget split and a field big enough to keep the fields, well, playable.
Farmington HDC Approves Brickyard Walk Sign and ~16 kW Solar at 93 Main; Winchell-Smith Dam Removal Confirmed
Farmington’s HDC approved a Brickyard Walk hanging sign at 769 Farmington Ave and a 16 kW solar array at 93 Main. Staff confirmed the Winchell-Smith Dam removal and a Nov. 6 oral-histories training.
Farmington HDC OKs St. James Door Fix, 5 Maple Solar, and 7 Church Sidelights; Dam Removal Starts Sept. 15
Farmington HDC’s Aug. 19 special meeting approved a St. James door modification (steel, with SDLs), a rear-roof solar array at 5 Maple, and clarified 7 Church sidelights. Dam removal begins Sept. 15. ⚖️
Commission OKs Exterior Details for 7 Church Street 🏠
May 20th’s HDC meeting featured no calligraphy, no MAGA bills, and exactly one commitment to preserving Farmington’s past—no matter how controversial the paint color.
Two Old Houses, One New Line: Farmington HDC Expands Preservation Map
Farmington’s Historic District Commission votes to expand the historic district, but not before tackling a conflict of interest and a quiet reminder that old houses come with new rules.
Vinyl Windows Denied, Bluestone Approved: Full Rundown of Farmington’s Historic District Showdown on March 25
Heat pumps, lattice, and one very firm “no” to vinyl windows. Full report from Farmington’s HDC March 25 meeting. 🧱📏
🚧 Noise, Windows, and a Sign War: Farmington Historic Commission’s Meeting Gets Loud—But Not Because of the Debate
Miss Porter’s School wants new windows, St. Patrick’s needs a sign, and historic preservation meets frozen ground in Farmington’s latest Historic District Commission meeting. 🏛️❄️🔊
Historic Decisions, Modern Challenges: Farmington’s District Commission Balances Past and Future
Farmington’s Historic District Commission delves into signs, setbacks, and tradition vs. innovation in a detailed, quote-filled meeting recap!
Iron Railings & Committee Shenanigans: Farmington’s Latest Meeting Recap!
Farmington Historic District covers iron railings, a new church sign, and quirky regulations. Stay informed with slow, deep journalism—and no, not the tattered tent type. 🤢✨
Farmington’s Historic Commission Bravely Approves Mini-Splits and Bollards, Heroically Protecting Doors From Future Generations
🏛️ Air conditioners, ancient doors, and indestructible bollards—Farmington’s Historic Commission tackles the big issues, one panel at a time. Where preservation meets modern discomfort. 🌳 #Farmington
Farmington Historic District Commission Meeting Highlights – July 23, 2024 at 5 PM
In a riveting meeting, Farmington’s Historic Committee tackles door dilemmas & signage sagas! Discover the drama, quotes & decisions. Sponsored by Farmington Storage. 🏛️📜🏢 #FarmingtonHistory
Farmington HDC’s 2024 Antics: Windows, Cupolas & Comedy
Dive into Farmington HDC’s 2024: from window wars to historic cupola capers, plus tech glitches and more. 🏡🪟 #HistoricDistrict #FarmingtonCT #CommunityComedy
Farmington Historic District Commission Meeting Recap
Farmington’s Historic District Commission tackles window woes and railing ruckuses in their latest meeting. Laughs, history, and PVC debates ensue. 🏠🪟📜 #Farmington #HistoricPreservation