KRELL FARM FACT SHEET
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Introduction: The Town of Farmington has a history of purchasing and maintaining farmland since the
early 1970's when it began accumulating privately owned parcels in the meadowlands north and south of
the Farmington River. These parcels have been leased to local farmers and larger farming entities since
that time for growing vegetables, sweet corn and feed corn crops. An area along Meadow Road had
been dedicated to garden plots which are rented out to interested gardeners each spring.
1. The Town of Farmington has signed a purchase agreement to pay 6.7 million dollars for 90 acres of the
98+ acre Krell Farm on Plainville Avenue. This agreement expires at the end of February in 2008. After a
town meeting to be held on Monday, January 7th, the question will go for a referendum vote on
Thursday, January 17th.
2. Under this agreement, if ratified, Patricia Krell will retain the 8+ acre balance of the property and life
use of the farmland purchased. She has committed to farming the land as in the past. She will be seeking
permission to create an equestrian center on the 8 acre piece she will hold.
3. There will be no potential municipal use of this 90 acre property. The land will remain as protected
open space and farmland. The Town of Farmington has also committed to maintaining a farm operation.
4. The Krell Farm is located in an R-40 zone, which means one dwelling unit per 40,000 sq.ft. of land. The
fewest number of homes that a development on this parcel could accommodate is 65.
Development/subdivision options exist within the regulations which could increase the number of building
units per acre, such as a "cluster" development or an "affordable housing" component.
5. Any other usage of the site ( ie: multi-family, commercial or industrial) would require a zone change, in
addition to all site plan approvals necessary, before any such development could take place.
6. The playing field potential for the Westwoods School site has been provided for by the purchase of the
Hein Farm in 2002, which actually is contiguous to the school property.
7. Other municipal playing fields are planned for development on the property donated in 2004 by Donald
Tinty, located on Main St. (Rte. 10) south of the Scott Swamp Rd. intersection.
8. Public access to the Krell Farm property, without permission, will not be available until the right of life
use is fulfilled or given up by Patricia Krell.
9. The Krell site offers an array of land use from farm/crop lots to woodlands and wetlands, including two
ponds. Each provides diverse habitats for all sorts of wildlife.
10. Over the next 20 years, the annual cost to Farmington taxpayers will be the equivalent of one or two
tankfuls of gasoline, or less than $55.00 annually for a property assessed at $300,000.
11. The Town of Farmington will be applying for several grants, as it has for past open space purchases,
that will help reduce the cost, if awarded.
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