Robert Canto
Regular Member — Farmington Town Plan and Zoning Commission
Roles
- Government Official — Farmington Planning & Zoning
Coverage (20 articles)
Farmington Zoning Commission Unanimously Rejects the 237-Home Riverfront Enclave
Farmington's Town Plan and Zoning Commission unanimously rejected all four applications behind the Enclave at the Farmington River, the 237-home development proposed along the river between Farmington and Unionville. The vote, after a five-hour hearing and a unanimous negative recommendation from the Town Council, ended a nearly four-year effort and killed the largest residential proposal the town has weighed in years.
Farmington Council Sets May 26 Discussion, June 9 Vote on Meadow Road Sidewalk
Town Manager Kathleen Blonski told the Farmington Town Council on May 12 that the Meadow Road sidewalk project will return as an agenda item at the council's May 26 meeting, with a potential vote at the June 9 meeting. The council is committed to building the project this year regardless of which of two design options it picks — the original south-side-throughout design or the split design that crosses to the north side west of Wakefield Lane.
A Cemetery Proposal for Don Tinty Park Resurfaces in Farmington
A 2004 deed gave Donald Tinty Family Park to Farmington as a public park. On May 12, the Town Council took up — and a dozen residents came to oppose — whether part of it should become the town's next cemetery. The council's direction: a legal opinion on the deed before any work on the ground.
Farmington Advances a $30–35 Million Fire-Station Overhaul
The Farmington Town Council voted unanimously on May 12 to advance a $30-to-$35-million plan to replace two of the town's three volunteer fire stations and renovate the third, seating a new building committee to carry it toward a referendum. The only sustained dissent came from the public comment podium, where resident Tim Kelly argued the town never seriously studied consolidating to two stations.
Farmington TPZ Approves Reservation Road Staircase 6-1, With Davidson Dissenting
The Farmington Town Plan and Zoning Commission voted 6-1 Monday to approve an exterior staircase at 6 Reservation Road, with Commissioner Josh Davidson casting the only audible no vote in a sustained argument that the application is "an end run around our ADU regulations." Earlier in the meeting, Commissioner Bobby Canto had asked Davidson to recuse himself over social-media moderator work, then withdrew the request after staff confirmed the documents Davidson had referenced were publicly posted.
Farmington Council Defers Meadow Road Sidewalk Vote, Asks for Redesign
After a 90-minute public hearing, the Town Council declined to vote on the south-side alignment and asked Town Engineer Russ Arnold to redesign the project as a south-side / north-side split crossing at Wakefield Lane. The vote is now expected at the June Town Council meeting.
Four Commissioners and a Sign Guy
Four of nine commissioners showed up. They elected a chair who declined the gavel, moved a $14.3 million school HVAC referendum in under ten minutes, approved a sign that can't be illuminated, and gave 114 dead arborvitae a second life. Monday in Farmington.
TPZ Backs $14.3M School Air Upgrade
The Farmington Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to send a $14.3 million HVAC referendum for four elementary schools to Town Council, approved a Progressive sign that can't be illuminated, and let 114 dead arborvitae get a second life.
Farmington Plan and Zoning Approves 62-Unit Scott Swamp Redevelopment, Continues Farmington Motorsports
A marathon Plan and Zoning meeting approved a 62-unit Scott Swamp housing project, multiple residential permits, and set the stage for February hearings.
Farmington TPZ Approves Spy Farm Program, Contractor Housing, and More
Town Plan & Zoning Commission approvals for innovative agricultural and housing projects.
Farmington TPZ Approves Spy Farm Program, Contractor Building, and Construction-Hour Changes After Lengthy Review
Farmington’s TPZ Commission advanced education, housing, and contractor-use proposals on Dec. 8, approving Spy Farm, Barnes Landscaping’s contractor building, and limited Saturday work at 402 Farmington Ave.
Farmington Elects Its First Democratic Council Chair in 70 Years
Brian FX Connolly defeats Joe Capodiferro in a rare shift for Farmington, marking the town’s first Democratic leadership since the 1950s.
Full Ballot Released for Farmington’s November 4 Election
Farmington’s Nov. 4 municipal ballot lists 40 candidates across town offices—from Probate Judge to Constable—with voting 6 a.m.–8 p.m. and early voting through Nov. 2.
Full Ballot Released for Farmington's November Election
Complete ballot information for Farmington's November 2025 election.
Farmington’s 2025 Ballot, Deconstructed: Every Office, Every Candidate, Every Deadline
Farmington’s Nov. 4 ballot, race by race: every office, candidate, and voting detail—plus how district seats work and where to vote early—sourced to official state and party materials.
Farmington TPZ Approves Land Trust Boardwalk, Red Oak Hill Home Expansion
Farmington TPZ approved removal of an eroding fishing platform to build an accessible boardwalk, widening the driveway, and a blasting permit for a 3,600 sq ft home on Red Oak Hill Road.
Farmington TPZ Debates Crown Equities’ 65‑Acre Midway District Plan
Farmington’s TPZ weighs a 65‑acre Crown Equities proposal mixing townhomes, apartments, and river‑view houses while traffic, schools, and a 100‑foot river buffer dominate the debate.
Farmington , CT TPZ OKs C‑1 Zoning Change for 22‑Unit Contractor Park on New Britain Avenue
TPZ grants CR→C‑1, special permit, and dual waivers for 22‑unit contractor park; cites Article 4 §2 standards and 1988 buffer rule precedent.
Two New Signs, One Preschool, and a Garage in the Floodplain
Signatures, Schools, and a Side Order of Zoning 🤓 FARMINGTON — May 28, 2025. The Town Plan & Zoning Commission (TPZ) settled into Council Chambers at 7 p.m. for what Chair Scott Halstead jokingly called “May—uh—28th… that’s not a good start, is it?” Roll call confirmed a quorum, and Town Planner Shannon Rutherford reminded the…
🍞 A Rise in the Zone: Farmington Approves Sourdough Stand in the R20
Farmington’s TPZ approves a home-based sourdough bakery and farm stand at 19 Ridgeview Drive, with no objections, no traffic, and lots of hungry commissioners.