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Volume 19, Number 12
Friday, March 25, 2022
WINCHESTER ESTATES SUBDIVISION
Million dollar homes planned By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
“We’re going to make it more like a luxury subdivision with stone pillars out SOUTHINGTON — A local front,” Lovley said. He’s aldeveloper plans to build ready got 20 people interesthomes costing up to $1 mil- ed in the houses. Recent inlion off Churchill Street if creases in interest rates have granted approval by the only spurred on-the-fence town. buyers to pull the trigger beMark Lovley submitted plans fore rates rise more. “We’re for Winchester Estates, a 34- still seeing a strong market,” Lovley said. unit subdivision of houses from 2,600 to more than Last year, the Planning and 3,000 square feet. Prices will Zoning Commission gave range from $700,000 to $1 Lovley a special permit for million.
an open-space preservation subdivision. He’s now applying for a site permit, which includes the details of where See PZC, A2
Homes on Churchill Street in Southington are seen here on July 19, 2021. A developer is proposing to build 34 houses on land behind the properties. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
Neighbors express concerns over housing development plan By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
SOUTHINGTON — A plan for age-restricted cluster housing near the HillCrest development faced criticism from area residents. AA Denorfia Building and Development is looking to build 24 houses at 570 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike. It’s a nine-acre property that currently has a single home on it. While the company could build about 10 homes under the existing zoning, company owner Tony Denorfia wants to change the zoning to an age-restricted cluster housing zone. It allows him to build more homes than normally allowed in exchange for preserving land, restricting sales to residents 55 and older and keeping some home prices affordable. Denorfia needs Planning and Zoning Commission approval for the zone change before he can submit a site plan application. The cluster housing zone has been used elsewhere in town, particularly by local developer Mark Lovley.
He said the project meets a need in town for low-maintenance housing for aging residents. “When you build for this age group, you want to make sure that it’s high quality and minimum maintenance living,” Denorfia said. Affordable three-bedroom houses will sell for around $290,000 while market-rate homes will go for more than $400,000.
Concerns from neighbors The property borders the HillCrest housing development. Several neighbors who spoke during the March 15 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting cited their bad experiences with the HillCrest development. Mary Ellen Hobson, a Blatchley Avenue resident, said she had significant flooding in her yard and home following the HillCrest development. She wasn’t opposed to the zone change for Denorfia’s project but was concerned about similar problems. See Housing, A2
Plainville Chamber to join collective Citizen report
PLAINVILLE — Seeking a “broader reach” for its members, the Plainville Chamber of Commerce has opted to join the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce, one of the largest chamber organizations in the state. The change goes into effect on April 10. “Our board has decided to join forces with the regional chamber in order to maximize visibility for our membership, and at the same
time, work cooperatively with five fellow communities in this regional chamber,” Plainville Chamber co-president Quinn Christopher said in a press release. “We feel the decision is timely and proactive in today’s business culture, one that makes sense in an age when regionalizing services is more effective, financially feasible and will underscore the positive business climate in Plainville.” See Chamber, A2
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