Farmington’s Planning and Zoning Commission is considering a special permit application submitted by Hartford’s Camp Courant that would allow the nonprofit to rent space to third parties for events such as corporate retreats, family gatherings, weddings and birthday parties.
A public hearing, which began on Feb. 24, is set to resume at the commission’s meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, March 10.
At the commission’s last meeting, Town Planner Shannon Rutherford requested a more detailed breakdown of the proposed events.
Camp Courant, located at 96 Batterson Park Road, spans nearly 38 acres and contains indoor spaces, four grand outdoor pavilions, a pool, basketball courts and playgrounds.
During the summer, it operates a camp for up to 750 children a day. It is known as the oldest and largest free summer day camp in the country.
The property is owned by the city of Hartford; Camp Courant leases it from the city.
The parking lot contains 90 parking spaces, and the basketball courts can be used to provide parking for up to 60 additional vehicles for larger events, according to the zoning application.
Camp Courant is applying for the permit so it can host additional revenue-generating events, which will go toward helping it continue to provide a free camping experience for children in the years ahead, according to the application.
For events that require more than 150 parking spaces, Camp Courant will discuss alternative parking arrangements, including using a nearby commuter lot with shuttle service to the property.
The majority of the events Camp Courant expects to host are meetings and conferences that would take place indoors in a classroom or meeting space, the application states.
Camp Courant expects to host about 100 indoor meetings and conferences per year, 25 outdoor small events per year, 10 outdoor large events and six special events with more than 100 people in attendance.
