Farmington Historic District Commission approves temporary certificate for propane tank and generator at 2 Carrington Lane

The Farmington Historic District Commission on June 16 approved a temporary certificate of appropriateness allowing a 120‑gallon liquid propane tank and a new generator on a concrete pad at 2 Carrington Lane.

The approval followed a presentation by Robert “Bob” Price, who said he and his wife have lived at the property for about 40 years and that the equipment is proposed on the Carrington Lane side because it meets technical clearance requirements and is nearest the home’s electrical panels. “We’ve lived in Farmington for 40 years now in the house that we’re talking about today,” Price said. He said existing shrubbery — described in the hearing as Japanese andromeda and rhododendron — already hides the site from most public views and that the applicants will add plantings to further screen the tank and generator.

Commission members asked whether screening could be required as a condition and whether the equipment could be moved to the rear yard. Member Joanne Lawson moved to grant the temporary certificate as submitted and asked that the applicants maintain their plantings where possible; alternate Liz Gemski seconded the motion. The commission approved the motion by voice vote with all present saying “aye.” The meeting record did not include a roll‑call tally of individual votes.

The project application materials noted that Ryan of Quinico prepared the technical specifications for siting and clearances. The applicant told the commission that placing the equipment in the backyard would create wiring and code challenges because of the distance to the electrical panel and the need to bore under impermeable surfaces.

There were no members of the public who offered comment online during the hearing. After the vote the commission received a brief staff report stating there were no items to share, approved minutes of its May 19 meeting and adjourned.

The commission’s action is a temporary certificate of appropriateness for 2 Carrington Lane as described in the application; the applicants indicated they will add and maintain plantings to reduce public visibility of the tank and generator.