At the regular March 13 2023 meeting of Ashford’s Planning and Zoning Commission the commission received an application to amend the text of Article 300-14 (definitions) and article 300-19 (Interstate Interchange Development Zone). That meeting included several hours’ worth of public comments by Ashford residents, who spoke both for and against the approval of these applications.

These applications were made to the P&Z Commission by Campanelli Rodolakis LM Acquisition LLC, and Ashford Realty Trust LLC. And the applications could be considered a forerunner to the applicants’ (or someone else’s) future submission of a proposal to develop property surrounding the previous Ashford Motel property into a “million square foot distribution center“ (Hartford Courant, Monday March 6, 2023).

If Ashford’s P&Z Commission decides to approve the amendments, the effect will be to remove an obstacle to the above development.

Arguments have been made for and against this project, and reasonable people should be willing to listen to both sides before deciding on their position. Once having made their decision, they are entitled to express their ideas to the responsible public officials, in this case, the principle players in Ashford’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

The LCIA Board of Directors heartly endorses this right, and highly encourages our members’ to thusly express their views, whether for or against. The best way to ensure your input is received by the March 13th deadline is via e-mail to the Zoning Enforcement Officer; his name and email appear below.

Michael D’Amato
Zoning Enforcement Officer, Town of Ashford
Email: zeo@ashfordtownhall.org