Plans to Convert Schanz Farm into Residential Subdivision Hits Roadblock

Sunwood Development Corporation, a Wallingford firm that has spent four years trying to convert the Schanz Farm at 1775 Middletown Ave. into a residential subdivision ran into another roadblock last night when the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency refused to hear changes to its application that were ordered by Connecticut Superior Court.

Sunwood neglected to put the Middletown Avenue address on its public notices and will be required to do so before it can present the changes to its application at the agency’s next meeting on Sept. 28.

Joan Molloy, a lawyer representing Sunwood Development owner Bob Wiedenmann, was disappointed at the Commission’s action. She had prepared a new site plan presentation but was unable to present it last night. Molloy said she had sent notices to abutting property owners and didn’t think sending them the address was necessary.

“It’s been almost four years,“ she said. “Everyone had notice, we just want to get this done.”

Steve Scavo, chairman of the Inlands Wetlands and Watercourses Agency, said the need for an address notice is a technicality but must be followed to avoid having the proceedings challenged.

Frank Cochran, a lawyer representing citizens opposed to the project, said they were filing “environmental interventions in the original proceeding.” Their goal is to protect the Farm River, which runs through the property before entering into Lake Saltonstall and provides drinking water.

He said Sunwood Development’s original application, which was approved by Planning & Zoning and the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency, was challenged by the Superior Court, which ruled that Sunwood must determine how to reconfigure four of the 30 lots to meet environmental requirements. Sunwood can choose among four different ways of reconfiguring the lots, but Cochran may challenge their decision.

Two of his clients, who attended last night’s meeting, said they wished Schanz Farm could remain a farm. The former dairy farm was once proposed to be the first farm preserved under the state’s Farmland Preservation Program. Now Sunwood Development wants to buy the farm and convert it into a residential subdivision.

Cochran doesn’t want to block the attempt but wants to make sure it is built in an environmentally friendly way that will preserve the Farm River.

On Sept. 28, Molloy will make her presentation to demonstrate how Sunwood Development will do that. Citizens opposed to the project will be able to file public comments.