Council refers potential Taylor Farm purchase to ad hoc committee for appraisal review

The City of Danbury received notice April 8 that the Taylor family intends to sell the Taylor Farm parcels, which the city previously restricted to agriculture and open space and for which it retained a right to buy at 50% of remaining fair market value. On May 7 the council voted to refer the communication to an ad hoc committee to obtain appraisals and a planning report before deciding whether to exercise the city27s purchase rights.

Michael Flanagan and Warren Levy, among other public commenters, urged the council to consider purchasing the roughly 30- to 35-acre parcel to preserve open space and potentially site a future school. The 2008 agreement limits the properties to agriculture and open space but allowed the city a preferential buy option if the owner chose to sell.

Councilwoman Diane Lapine moved to refer the matter to an ad hoc committee and requested that planning provide a report before the ad hoc meets; the motion passed and the mayor named the ad hoc chair and members. The referral will allow the city to obtain appraisals and consider fiscal and planning implications before making a purchase decision.