Embedded Files
The citizens of Ashford united to oppose a proposal for a zone change in town that would have allowed for a mega-warehouse. This website was created to inform citizens about the efforts of a group called "Keep Ashford Rural". Our efforts started in Jaunary of 2023 and continue to this day. We were successful in stopping the requested zone change and in getting a 9 month moratorium on accepting new applications for similar type structures. We continue to work with town officials to promote the idea of keeping Ashford Rural.
This page includes much of the information we shared during the process. We have moved it off the front page of our website because it is now history. But we are leaving it here so other towns facing a similar challenge can review what we did. It may help you in your battles against mega-warehouses.
Important Documents:
Testimony by Charles Vidich- Professional Land Use and Environmental Planner - Important information about the negative impact of this proposal
Rebuttal to Campanelli by Charles Vidich
Comments by Anthony Paticchio - Former PZC Commssion member and participant in drafting of the Intersate Inerchange Development Zone regulations - Important information about the Ashford Plan of Conservation and Development goals.
Eastern Connecticut Conservation District Report on similar proposal for this property in 2020.
Report: Noise Issues Associated with Mega-Warehouses by Charles Vidich
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NoMegaWarehouse.com: For many more links and resources so you can understand why this is not a project for Ashford.
NoMegaWarehouse.com: For many more links and resources so you can understand why this is not a project for Ashford.
Check out:
NoMegaWarehouse.com: For many more links and resources so you can understand why this is not a project for Ashford.
Citizens Against the Ashford Megawarehouse Facebook Group: Join and ask questions or share conerns.
Neighbors Article by Christine Acebo: "Ashford Residents Outraged About Developer's Proposal"
Neighbors Article by Christine Acebo: "Ashford Residents Confront Developers of Mega-Warehouse/Distribution Centers"
Neighbors Article by Loretta Wrobel: "What Price for Healthy Natural Resources"
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The Original Application:
Link to :
To access all resources for this meeting:
Go to this link and then click on the "To Access Planning and Zoning meeting materials, click here" located at the top of the page
Click on the March 13, 2023
Click on PZ-23-1-Text Amendment_Article 300-14....
All resources for this request are located there.
The application amendments were accepted at the 4/10 public hearing. It has been adjusted to limit the size of the structure to 1.1 million sq ft, limit the height to 55 ft, and remve industrial uses as one of the uses.
All of Ashford Cares! This is not just a NIMBY (Not in my backyard) issue. This map has a dot on it for each person signing the petition opposed to the text amendment. It covers all of Ashford and more.
This business park was built by the same group that has submitted the application to Ashford. Note the MASSIVE retaining walls. The applicant left those out of the artist rendering of the potential building on the Ashford site. The land is highly countoured and will require significant retaining walls. The structure the applicant envisions for Ashford could have the appearance of a fortress on top of high walls. This is Building 5 at the Uxbridge site. It is just over half the size of the building they are prosing for Ashford.
Updates: We kept a running update of happenings and information for people to review.
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Update 5/10/2023: Video of the May 8th meeting has been posted here.
Update!!! May 8th- Vote results
The Planning and Zoning Commission has voted to deny the appliction to change the wording to the regulations. The vote was 8 to deny and 1 abstaining.
Update 5/2/2023- Informative article by Christine Acebo in Neighbors about the proposal. Read it here.
Update 4/13/2023 - Transcription of Attorney Knuff's Closing comments - Click here.
Update 4/12/2023 Video recording of the 4/10 public hearing and zoning meeting has been uploaded. You can view it here.
Update 4/11/2023 - Summary of 4/10/2023 PZC Public hearing and meeting:
The meeting started with a continuation of the public hearing that was extended from the March 13th meeting. There were over 200 people in attendance. In this portion of the meeting about 25 people spoke with the overwhelming majority strongly against the amendment.
The PZC voted to close the public hearing. PZC stated that they have 65 days from the close of the public hearing to act on the amendment. They decided to delay discussion until the next regularly scheduled meeting on May 8th. They cited the need to have time to study all of the comments and presentations.
We will post links to the minutes, videos, and agendas as they become available. Check back here.
Update 4/5/2021
Need a sign?
As of today (Thursday) we still have about 10 left.
Send an email to keepashfordrural@gmail.com with your name, address and tel # to get one. First Come First Served.
Update 3/29/2023:
We now have an email address!
Volunteer:
Send us an email if you would like to volunteer: We need help at the transfer station.
Help:
Check out some ZOOM tips here or send us an email if you need help with Zoom. Also contact Peter Ralston if you need a ZOOM alternative to attend the meeting.
Update 3/23/2023: Fire Research - Go here to read some research on warehouse fires.
Update 3/15/2023: Youtube recording of the March 13th PZC public hearing has been posted: https://youtu.be/YmXKu5dBkno
Update 3/13/2023 - View Charles Vidich Power Point Presentation "A Reality Check".
Update 3/11/2023- YouTube Link to WILI "On the HOme Front" with Charles Vidich and Chuck Funk Dicussing this issue. https://youtu.be/6-zmuepr71M Listen in!
Update 3/10/2023: Check out the wetlands!
Here are a couple of interesting maps. The first is from the Campanelli application showing their concept plan for the mega-warehouse.
The second shows the wetlands added in purple. These wetlands are the headwaters of the pristine Fenton River watershed feeding Uconn and Willimantic.
Update 3/6/2023 - by Charles Vidich -Rebuttal to Campanelli’s Deceptive Development Proposal in North Ashford
Update 3/6/2023 - by Charles Vidich -Rebuttal to Campanelli’s Deceptive Development Proposal in North Ashford
Save your sign!
A note about signs: Now that the PZC has denied the amendments that would have allowed the mega-warehouse the lawn signs can be put away. But PLEASE SAVE THEM! We do not know what the future holds. We may need them again.
The Keep Ashford Rural Committee is continuing our efforts including work on a moratorium on accepting applications followed by improving regulations. We encourage interested citizens to volunteer to serve on the various boards and commissions to help create documents that are designed to Keep Ashford Rural.
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