Farmers’ Market Planned For

Sandy Hook Center

By Andrew Gorosko

To spur the revitalization of Sandy Hook Center, local businessman Mike Porco said this week he plans to hold a regularly scheduled farmers’ market on land he owns there alongside the Pootatuck River.

Mr Porco’s plans follow the Planning and Zoning Commission’s (P&Z) April 17 revisions to the Sandy Hook Design District (SHDD) zoning regulations, which allow farmers’ markets as a permitted land use in a SHDD zone.

In 1995, the P&Z created SHDD zoning to encourage mixed land uses, foster the creation of pedestrian amenities, and promote adequate parking in Sandy Hook Center, a compact business district at the intersection of Church Hill Road, Washington Avenue, Riverside Road, and Glen Road.

Mr Porco last year had suggested a farmers’ market for Sandy Hook Center, where farmers’ fresh produce is sold directly to the public, as a way to attract people to the area and stimulate its economy.

At their April 17 session, P&Z members decided that a farmers’ market would be a good land use for SHDD zones, citing a positive response to the idea by people responding to a P&Z public opinion poll conducted last year for the ongoing revision of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development. There are suitable off-street areas in Sandy Hook Center where a farmers’ market could operate, according to the P&Z.

P&Z members decided that having a farmers’ market in the SHDD zone is consistent with the goals of the 1993 Town Plan of Conservation and Development and would serve to revitalize Sandy Hook Center.

Mr Porco has been at work grading a parcel of land he owns along the east side of the Pootatuck River, behind 1, 3 and 5 Glen Road, in preparation for parking lot construction. Mr Porco, who is a local builder, plans to construct an 82-space parking lot there. The parking area would be bordered by lawns, where farmers would set up stalls for the farmers’ market.

Last winter, Mr Porco built an 800-foot-long stone wall along the eastern bank of the river, which stabilizes the riverbank, and enhances the area’s appearance.

Last year, Mr Porco gained P&Z approval to construct a 4,095-square-foot commercial building at 5-C Glen Road, near the parking lot that is now under construction. The commercial building has not yet been built.

“Everything hinges on this parking lot,” Mr Porco said of his plans for the area.

Mr Porco said he hopes to eventually construct a pedestrian bridge across the Pootatuck River, just north of where Church Hill Road crosses the river. That bridge would link land parcels that Mr Porco owns on either side of the river. The envisioned bridge would be similar to an existing pedestrian bridge that crosses the river just south of Church Hill Road.

Farmers’ Market

Mr Porco said he hopes to start the farmers’ market in June. He said there is a “50/50 chance” that the market would begin operations this growing season. Otherwise, the market would start operations in the 2004 growing season, he said. “I’m trying to get it [started] this year,” he said.

Mr Porco said the open-air market that he has in mind for Sandy Hook Center would be similar to a successful farmers’ market that is regularly held at the Fairfield County Extension Center on Stony Hill Road in Bethel.

During the growing season, the Sandy Hook Center farmer’s market would be held on Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm, Mr Porco said.

The state Department of Agriculture has provided him with a list of about 30 farmers and growers who would be likely candidates to participate in a Sandy Hook Center farmers’ market, Mr Porco said. The department provides farmers’ markets with promotional help.

Having a farmers’ market in Sandy Hook Center would benefit merchants there by attracting people to the area, Mr Porco said.

“We’re trying to create something down here that makes people want to stop and enjoy the natural beauty of the river,” he said.

According to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, there are 65 farmers’ markets scattered throughout the state. The demand for farmers’ markets is increasing, and each year there are a number of requests to establish new ones, according to the department.

Such markets provide an opportunity for farmers to sell their crops and also provide convenient shopping, allowing consumers to purchase fresh, high-quality produce and other farm specialty items, according to the department. There are 14 farmers’ markets in Fairfield County, the nearest of which are in Bethel and Danbury.

Mr Porco said he also foresees holding crafts fairs, tag sales, antique auto shows, and other events as ways to attract people to Sandy Hook Center.

Mr Porco owns several commercial properties in Sandy Hook Center. Besides 1, 3 and 5 Glen Road, he also owns 113, 115, and 117 Church Hill Road.

Among the businesses currently located in those addresses are a men’s barbershop, a gourmet food shop, a planning service for weddings and special events, a karate/ballet studio, a toy store, and office space. Mr Porco said he also would like to have a bank and a café occupy his properties.

Mr Porco said his personal goal for Sandy Hook Center is having it evolve into a commercial area similar to those in New Preston, Washington Depot, and Kent.

Earlier this year, the town applied for a federal transportation grant that would cover approximately half the cost of a multiphased $1.25 million project to physically improve Sandy Hook Center, providing new sidewalks, curbing, crosswalks, decorative street lighting, and landscaping.

The project is intended to improve pedestrian mobility, encourage economic growth, improve the area’s appearance, and reduce traffic congestion. The improvements are designed to create a positive image for the area, boost the physical value of properties, and attract people to a villagelike setting. In 2002, the town extended United Water’s public water supply to Sandy Hook Center. In 1997, the town extended sanitary sewers there.