Theres trouble brewing at the old mill. Judy Larson and Brian Gardiner, co-owners of the Jelliff Mill property, brought their plans for a new office building that would re-create the historical building before the Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday night. Neighbors held a heated debate both for and against the proposal.
The original Jelliff Mill stood on the Jelliff MIll Pond since the early 18th century. But when a fire destroyed the building in 1949, the owners at the time replaced it with a concrete structure to prevent another such accident. The neighborhood surrounding the building now is zoned as residential, but the mill itself was grandfathered in and allowed to operate as an industrial property.
Larson and Gardiner plan to demolish the current factory space. In its place, they hope to build an office building designed to match the original Jelliff Mill as closely as possible. According to zoning law, they can do this as long as the new project reduces the non-conformity, meaning it would be more in line with the neighborhood than the current use.
Neighbors near the mill are split on the issue. Some are concerned that the offices will bring more traffic and activity to the area than the industrial work ever did. They cite, for example, the fact that the factory currently has five parking spaces. The new plan will have 22. Theyre worried an office that close to their homes will bring more traffic, less safety and lower property values. One neighbor, Raffaele Soro, gave the commission a petition signed by over 140 residents.
Others, however, were completely in favor of Larson and Gardiners proposal. Walter Mead called the current mill the ugliest building in Connecticut. He added, Im quite definitely certain our property values will go up once we get rid of that eyesore.
After more than an hour of debate, at nearly 10 p.m., the commission ended this round of discussion. The issue will be back on the docket for the next meeting at the end of July.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
