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Public backing for zone change to preserve Beardsley homestead; hearing closed and staff to prepare favorable resolution
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Summary
At a public hearing on a proposed zone change affecting the Beardsley homestead, multiple residents, the Shelton Land Trust and conservation commission chair urged protections; the commission closed the hearing and asked staff to draft a favorable resolution for the May 13 meeting.
The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission closed the public hearing on April 27 for application 2609, a proposed zone map change at 276 Leavenworth Road, after an extended public comment period in which residents and conservation stakeholders urged measures to preserve the Beardsley homestead and surrounding farmland.
Speakers at the hearing repeatedly described the proposal as a compromise that would allow the purchaser to retain the historic homestead while permitting limited development. Cheryl McMahon, who identified herself as a multigenerational Shelton resident, said, "I do believe that this zone change represents a valuable compromise, and I'm sincerely appreciative that the buyer is willing to consider this as an option." Joel Wells, president of the Shelton Land Trust, urged the city to seek ways to protect the farm in its entirety, noting the land trust owns hundreds of acres in Shelton and may explore protection mechanisms.
Multiple public commenters stressed the agricultural and educational value of the property and local farms, while other speakers raised traffic and construction access concerns. Graham Bissett, a longtime resident and former building official, said access points and traffic flow must be carefully addressed before construction. Tom Harvinson, chairman of the conservation commission, corrected an apparent mapping error and said the commission will update the open‑space map that incorrectly listed portions of the orchard as PDR (purchase of development rights).
The applicant thanked the community for comments and said prior attempts to keep the property entirely as a farm were not financially sustainable. After hearing from residents and staff, a commissioner moved to close the public hearing; the motion passed 6 to 0. The commission instructed staff to prepare a favorable resolution and indicated the matter will likely return at the May 13 meeting for formal consideration.
No formal zoning decision was made at the meeting; the commission's action was to close the hearing and request staff prepare the resolution for a future meeting.
