Historic District Commission asks for full environmental review of proposed UConn golf facility on Storrs Road

On Jan. 14, 2026, the Mansfield Historic District Commission reviewed the University of Connecticut’s proposal for a golf training facility at 986 Storrs Road in the Spring Hill Historic District and requested a full Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE).

Assistant Director of Planning & Development J. Woodmansee summarized UConn’s scoping process and noted the public scoping meeting held Jan. 7, 2026. Commission discussion identified several concerns including potential removal of trees, water-management and broader environmental impacts, alternate siting options on UConn-owned property, and the preservation of historic-district features recognized on the National Register.

Staff told the commission that the Town Attorney had been consulted and reported that, as a matter of law or policy, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is not required for state-owned properties. Despite that advice, commissioners said they wanted UConn to appear before the HDC to seek input or approvals for specific elements—including netting, lighting, scale and massing, and the location of parking and buildings—and to make those requests part of formal comments to the town.

A member of the public, resident L. Tordenti of 3 East Rd., spoke in objection to locating the facility in a residential neighborhood and raised concerns about water quality, loss of trees and plantings, and possible changes to features that contribute to the historic district’s character.

Commissioner M. Hamill moved and D. Spencer seconded a motion authorizing the chair to draft and submit HDC comments to the Town Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission for submission to UConn. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0).

The commission’s action instructs the chair to transmit concerns about environmental review and historic-preservation impacts to both the Town Council and Planning & Zoning Commission and to request that those bodies ask UConn for a full EIE and further consultation with the HDC on design elements. No formal decision on the project’s design or siting was made at the meeting; the chair will prepare the comments authorized by the commission for submission to UConn via the town’s review channels.