Groton Open Space Association

Developer Withdraws Mystic Woods Application

GROTON — The would-be developer of a 219-unit “Active Senior Housing” complex on a 105-acre parcel on Fort Hill has withdrawn its application for Inland Wetlands Agency approval of the project, it was revealed Oct. 23, 2006.

In a letter to the Town of Groton Office of Planning and Development, the developer’s attorney, Harry Heller, cited as reasons for the withdrawal continuing criticism of the project’s water detention basins and potential legal problems involved in the developer’s last-minute submissions of plan revisions to the IWA. These submissions did not allow intervenors in the case sufficient time for review.

News of the withdrawal of the “Mystic Woods” application came from Peter B. Cooper, an attorney from the New Haven firm of Cooper, Whitney, Cochran & Francois, who represented GOSA in its fight against the project. The Inland Wetlands Agency had closed its public hearing on the project Oct. 11, 2006, and had been expected to come to a decision on it at the next meeting Oct. 25, but the IWA now will not need to rule on the project.

“Mystic Woods” had aroused intense opposition, from GOSA, the newly formed Friends of Fort Hill, and Mumford Cove residents who feared that runoff from the project would pollute Fort Hill Brook, which runs into the cove.

The next step for the promoter of the project, Hawthorne Development Partners LLC of Woburn, Masschusetts, was not immediately clear. However, there was no indication that Hawthorne intends to abandon its plans for construction on Fort Hill.