Farmington ZBA Denies Poplar Hill Garage Variance on 3-3 Tie

🚧 A Tie Vote, Eight Trees, and 23 Feet of Setback

FARMINGTON, Conn.: “I’m going to ask that Mr. Thier, who’s here, please call the board,” Chairman John Schumor announced at 7:01 p.m. on Monday, June 16, opening the Zoning Board of Appeals’ hybrid meeting. Within 50 minutes the panel deadlocked 3‑3, denying a variance that would have shrunk the western side‑yard setback at 3 Poplar Hill Road from 40 feet to 17.

Only One Application Left Standing

A second agenda item had been withdrawn that morning. “The public notice… only needs to mention the first public hearing,” Planner Garrett Sear confirmed, narrowing the evening to the request by Andrew and Caroline Ritchie.

Applicant’s Case: Slope and Family Needs

Standing at a “pretty top‑heavy podium,” Mr. Ritchie thanked commissioners for their time:

“We’re requesting a total variance of 23 feet… to construct an attached garage and mudroom… The hardship topic is topography.”

He displayed a survey showing a steep drop from Poplar Hill Road down to the existing basement‑level garage, then added real‑life context:

“A basement garage is not easy with the staircase, with the little one in and out all the time. My wife… is expecting our second one come January.”

Only the left side, he said, could provide “level access to the first floor.” He pledged to keep tree removal under 10 and recounted a deal with his neighbor at 11 Poplar Hill:

“We agreed to take down as few trees as possible… and fill bare spots with new vegetation.”

Board Scrutiny: Trees, Scale, Precedent

Commissioners peppered Ritchie with questions:

Michael Callahan (remote from Vermont): “What’s going to happen to the currently existing garage space?”
Ritchie: “Additional storage.”
Peter Genski: “Are you keeping two driveways? …My gut is no [on the vote], sorry.”
Kate Grady Benson: “Do you have a count of the trees? I saw a couple of mature trees.”

Town Planner Bruce Thier estimated “at least eight” oaks would go, noting the parcel sits in Farmington’s Ridgeline Protection Area.

Chairman Schumor pressed the hardship standard:

“I see this as a personal hardship rather than a land hardship.”

Motion and Roll‑Call

Commissioner Chris Cloud moved to approve; Steve Walsh seconded. The tally:

Commissioner	Vote	Quoted Rationale
Michael Callahan	Yes	N/A
Chris Cloud	Yes	N/A
Kate Grady Benson	Yes	“Removal of mature trees is a big deal… but I could live with it.”
John Schellhorn	No	“I’m concerned the size of this project doesn’t meet the hardship requirement.”
Peter Genski	No	“Honestly torn… but my gut is no.”
Steve Walsh	No	“You’ll minimize tree loss? Still, I can’t support it.”

Without the required four affirmative votes, the motion failed. Ritchie’s wife, Caroline, speaking briefly online, “I just wanted to express support for the variance and appreciate your time,” could only watch the denial.

What’s Next?

No applications are slated for July. “I’ll entertain a motion to adjourn and hope everyone has a nice month,” Schumor said. The board obliged at 7:49 p.m.

About the Author

Jack Beckett types faster than a variance can be denied, fuelled by quadruple‑shot dark roast from a dented thermos. Find him under Poplar Hill’s remaining shade trees or on Twix muttering about setbacks. ☕️

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This article, “Personal Hardship or Topography? Quotes Reveal Why Farmington ZBA Rejected Poplar Hill Garage,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY‑ND 4.0.

“Personal Hardship or Topography? Quotes Reveal Why Farmington ZBA Rejected Poplar Hill Garage”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY‑ND 4.0)