Eaton Farms Development Collection

Collection

Identifier: 2002-0028

Staff Only

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

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

Additional Description

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.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to various aspects of Connecticut history. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the Reading Room desk.

Separated Material

Historic Mansfield Center. Dodd C5774

Subjects

Actions and defenses Subject Source: Fast
Administrative records Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Connecticut (state) Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Conservation of natural resources Subject Source: Fast
Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Environmental protection Subject Source: Fast
Financial records Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Fliers (printed matter) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Histories Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Land use Subject Source: Fast
Mansfield Center (inhabited place) Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Maps (documents) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Monographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Newsletters Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Newspapers Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Notes Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Petitions Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Photocopies Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Physical geology Subject Source: Fast
Real estate development Subject Source: Fast
Speeches (documents) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Zoning Subject Source: Fast
minutes (administrative records) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus