Planning, zoning, land use, and the physical transformation of Farmington, one hearing at a time.
Every subdivision, apartment complex, commercial development, and historic preservation fight in Farmington passes through a public hearing. The Farmington Mercury attends those hearings, reads the applications, and reports on the decisions that will shape this town for the next generation. Development is not just a real estate story. It's a story about who Farmington is choosing to become.
What We Cover
| Section |
Focus |
| Planning & Zoning Commission |
Applications, hearings, approvals, denials, and appeals |
| Inland Wetlands Agency |
Environmental review of development proposals |
| Historic District Commission |
Preservation reviews, COA decisions, demolition permits |
| Affordable Housing |
8-30g applications, set-asides, and the politics of density |
| Infrastructure |
Roads, utilities, sidewalks, and capital improvement projects |
| Commercial Real Estate |
Major lease activity, business park developments, retail changes |
Recent Coverage
Recent development, zoning, and land-use stories from our hearing-by-hearing reporting:
- Noble Energy Withdraws Its Farmington Truck Stop Applications, Ending the Fight Without a Vote (June 19): Noble Energy pulls both its wetlands and zoning applications for the proposed diesel truck stop above Batterson Park Pond, killing the project without a vote after months of contested hearings.
- Three Farmington Boards Have a Say in the Truck Stop. Only Two Actually Decide It. (June 13): A guide to which boards vote on the Noble Energy proposal and which only advise, plus the hearing calendar that governed the case.
- The Coelhos Asked for a Special Permit. Farmington Said No. They Can Build Anyway. (June 11): The TPZ denies a special permit for a new home at 8638 Pine Drive 4-2, but the applicants can still build because the lot predates current regulations.
- Where Does the Water Go? One Night at the Farmington Wetlands Commission (May 23): A patio, a post-fire restoration, an 18-unit active-adult subdivision, and the third Noble Energy hearing, all in one long May 20 wetlands session.
- Eight Consultants Want to Write Farmington's Next 10-Year Plan (May 28): Eight firms bid to write the next Plan of Conservation and Development, the document that will set the town's growth, conservation, and housing priorities for a decade.
- Farmington TPZ Schedules July 27 Hearing on Noble Energy Rezoning (May 19): The commission accepts Noble Energy's R40-to-B1 rezoning application for the 86-acre Fienemann Road parcel and sets a public hearing.
- Carrier Group Wins Two-Year Extension and Three Model Homes for Morea Road Subdivision (March 24): The TPZ unanimously approves a two-year extension and three model homes for the contested 25-lot Morea Road subdivision.
How to Follow a Development Case
- Check the Planning & Zoning agenda at farmington-ct.org, posted 5 days before each meeting
- Review the application documents at Town Hall or online (varies by case)
- Attend the public hearing, where residents can speak on record
- Read our coverage. We summarize what happened and what it means
Key Contacts
- Planning & Zoning Department: (860) 675-2370
- Building & Zoning Enforcement: (860) 675-2370
- Inland Wetlands Agency: Same department, separate docket
[The Farmington Mercury publishes under Creative Commons BY-ND 4.0.]