Eaton Farms Development Collection
Scope and Content
The collection contains materials that chronicle the struggle against the proposed development of the Eaton farmland as well as the appeals to the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Mansfield to make changes to the zoning regulations in order to preserve historically significant and ecologically fragile land. The collection is comprehensive in terms of covering the resistance to the proposal, but although it contains some documents related to the developer's side of the dispute, it is fairly biased towards the opposition. Also contained in this collection is significant information regarding the geological and hydrological features of the affected area of Mansfield Center.
Dates
- Creation: 1959-2002
Access
The collection is open and available for research.
Restrictions on Use
Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.
History
In 1987, local developer and attorney Paul Brody proposed to develop a piece of land in Mansfield Center, CT. The proposed development, known as "The Farms," was to consist of condominiums and office spaces. The land, located between the Mansfield Town Cemetery and Bassetts Bridge Road along Interstate 195(Storrs Road), had formerly been used as farmland, and has historical significance, since it not only borders the cemetery, but is also thought to be the location where Colonel Experience Storrs drilled troops in 1775.
A group of concerned citizens who organized themselves as the Mansfield Community Group protested the proposal, and in 1989 the project was rejected by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Mansfield. The group remained active after the rejection of what was to later be known as "Farms I," knowing that the plan would be modified and resubmitted.
"Farms II" was proposed in 1990, and the Mansfield Community Group contested the plan mainly on the basis of ecological concerns: the aquifer, Eaton Bog, and drainage issues. The plan was rejected by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the developer contested their decision in the Rockville Superior Court. In 1993, the court upheld the Planning and Zoning Commission's decision. The Eaton land was later aquired by the town and remains undeveloped.
Missing Title
- 1987 September
- "The Farms" [I] development proposed
- 1989 May 17
- "The Farms" rejected by Planning and Zoning Commission
- 1990 January 23
- "The Farms II" proposed
- 1990 June 4
- "The Farms II" rejected by Planning and Zoning Commission
- 1990 June 25
- Developer appealed Planning and Zoning Commission decision to Rockville Superior Court
- 1993 April 28
- Court denied appeal
Extent
4.75 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Materials relating to the proposed development of the Eaton farmland and related zoning disputes in Mansfield Center, CT (1987-1993).
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as donated and is in primarily chronological order. The contents of many folders are in reverse chronological order.
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated by Dr. Hugh Hamill in March 2002. Additional materials were donated in September 2002.
Separated Material
Historic Mansfield Center. Dodd C5774
- Title
- Eaton Farms Development Collection
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Archives & Special Collections staff
- Date
- 2003 March
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Archives and Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library Repository
University of Connecticut Library
405 Babbidge Road Unit 1205
Storrs Connecticut 06269-1205 USA US
860-486-2524
archives@uconn.edu
