[CT Birds] Bad news for Griswold Airport

[COMINS, Patrick]

Some great ideas Clay, but I think it is too late now.  It would likely take a court ruling to impede the progress, and I don't think such economic issues would carry weight on a basis to reverse either the zoning or permitting decisions.   Even the investigation into the land swap that made this development possible won't have much bearing on whether the project moves forward.  The DEP (under a former administration) traded an access easement on state property that allowed better access to the site from Rt 1 in exchange for an easement on .6 acres of wetlands on the back part of the property. (see story: http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-easement0115.artjan15,0,5028009.story?page=2&coll=hc_tab01_layout )


We raised the economics of birding (along with other issues) at the Planning and Zoning hearings way back when I didn't have so much gray hair, but the Commission approved this development (at a density reduced from the original proposal).  I just wish the property could have been bought by the State back when it was for sale from a willing owner.  We worked on that angle before this development was even proposed and didn't gain much traction.

Patrick Comins, Meriden