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Commission approves special permit to convert pool house into ADU at 222 Talcott Notch Road
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Summary
The Town of Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission approved a special-permit and site-plan application to convert an existing pool house at 222 Talcott Notch Road into a one‑bedroom ADU, but commissioners emphasized that Farmington Valley Health must sign off on septic work before a certificate of occupancy and that inland-wetlands review may be required if excavation is necessary.
The Town of Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission voted April 27 to accept a special-permit and site-plan application to convert an existing pool house at 222 Talcott Notch Road into a detached one‑bedroom accessory dwelling unit (ADU).
Andre Percolitis, the property owner, told the commission the work will not change the building footprint and is intended as a guest house. "I have no intention of renting it out," Percolitis said. Builder Christian Winkley of Oxford Builders described plans to add a dormer to create a loft bedroom, keep the cabin's exterior character and install interior living space including a first-floor bathroom and kitchenette.
Commissioners focused their questions on sewage and permitting. Percolitis said a separate septic system serves the cabin but that its condition is uncertain; recent camera inspections and soil sampling were done and a perk test was performed. "We're already proceeding down the path of a new septic system," Winkley said, adding that records showed acceptable septic locations on the lot but that the leaching field location was not fully documented.
Shannon Rutherford, town planner, told the commission that health-department review is embedded in the building-permit process: the Farmington Valley Health sanitarian reviews and must approve any new or repaired septic design and sign off before a certificate of occupancy is issued. Rutherford said whether a septic repair or replacement triggers Inland Wetlands Commission review depends on the scope: routine maintenance and repairs often fall under permitted-as-of-right provisions, but excavation for a new system in the upland review area could require wetlands review.
There were no public comments on the application. After discussion, a motion to accept the application for special permits and site-plan approval was made and seconded; commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried. Commissioners and staff emphasized that final permitting — including any required septic design and approvals from Farmington Valley Health and, if needed, Inland Wetlands — must be completed before occupancy or final certificate issuance.
The commission did not record specific conditions beyond standard permitting requirements on the record; staff indicated the application will proceed through normal permit review and that an Architectural Design Review Committee report (when applicable) would be available prior to any final hearing if needed. The commission closed the hearing and approved the application to move forward in the permit process.
