Groton Open Space Association

Wetlands Agency Denies Ice House Change; MRP Weighs In

GROTON–The Inland Wetlands Agency has denied unanimously a developer’s application for a reduction in the buffer protecting wetlands on the site of the proposed Mystic Ice House development on Route 1.

Background on this case is contained in the immediately preceding story.

In its decision March 10, 2004, the agency said reduction of the buffer would hurt the wetlands by increasing sedimentation and pollution. The panel said it wasn’t convinced that the developer’s proposal for a vegetative strip to mitigate these harmful effects would do the job and would be maintained over the long run.

In a commentary on the case written shortly before the decision, the Mystic River Press said:

“Groton should stand its ground to demonstrate that it will not be pushed around by developers. This town has given up too much as it is, with subdivisions popping up everywhere you look” and commercial sprawl apparent “along Route 1 and, increasingly, the Gold Star Highway.” It said, “All that stands in the way of endless rows of cookie-cutter McMansions, strip malls and big box stores — not to mention higher taxes — are forward-thinking activists and agency and commission members.”

The editorial said, “These heroic individuals work endless unpaid hours to do what is best for their town. With careful research and thoughtful deliberation, they make decisions about what direction development will go. In this case, the Inland Wetlands Agency, Mystic Conservancy LLC and Groton Open Space Association recognize that what is best environmentally is also best developmentally.” It added that “Progressive developers throughout the country are making a mint on ‘green’ building.’”