FARMINGTON – Selectmen held a public hearing Tuesday evening regarding proposed amendments to the shoreland zoning ordinance.
It was brought about by Thomas and Janice Daku and W/S Development Association LLC.
The Dakus have been trying to sell 70 acres of their Knowlton Corner Road farm for more than 10 years, and after meeting with selectmen and hearing from the public, their dream is slowly becoming more of a reality.
With wide speculation over what actual businesses would be going in the proposed shopping center and with rumors that Home Depot could be the anchor store, Chairman Mary Wright made it clear that the rumors were indeed not the issue of the hearing.
“This hearing has nothing to do with what’s going in there,” she said.
What was at issue was whether or not the shoreland zoning ordinance could be amended to recognize the particular 70-acre parcel as general development zone and not an agricultural forest zone. This amendment alone would help increase the Dakus chances of making a deal.
Auburn attorney Richard Trafton, who represented W/S Development Association LLC, a Massachusetts developer, was one of the few who spoke at the hearing.
Also speaking on the behalf of the Dakus, Trafton said, “This is a good opportunity, with good partners and it recognizes the change in land use in Farmington.”
Trafton cited the town’s comprehensive plan and said that the potential land deal not only focuses on the future economic development of the town, but it also will increase the tax base. Although Trafton admitted there are no commitments in place for the proposed shopping center, he did speculate that there was some interest.
“This is only the first step of the process,” he said.
After hearing very little response from the crowd, selectmen closed the public hearing and went on to approve the warrant for a special town meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 to vote on the proposed amendments to the shoreland zoning ordinance.
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