There are no reports the developer is any closer to beginning construction of the Highland Ridge/St. Anne’s development of 519 acres, 456 age-restricted housing units and an 18-hole golf course. The project still needs the approval of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP.) In addition, there are no new reports on Aurora Estates, 100 age-restricted dwellings and 125 unrestricted units planned for the southern end of the property.

In a discussion with Mr. Silano in July, he stated he has no problems with the Army Corps of Engineers but has some difficulties with the State DEP. Apparently the DEP is asking Mr. Silano to give up the plans for a golf course. He told me if he had to give up the golf course, he would redesign the developments and provide more open space. He also said he is working with a California firm that would allow the developments to go “green” to include environmental-friendly technology.

Mr. Silano, his consultants, and Town officials met on July 23 with the DEP, representatives of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the projects. According to newspaper reports, Denise Ruzicka, the DEP’s director of the inland water resources division, sent a letter to Mr. Silano stating their application was insufficient and recommended they withdraw their application. Mr. Silano did so in June.

Apparently Ms. Ruzicka requested an assessment of the impacts on all habitats and natural resources, an evaluation of the functions and values of the beaver pond, details of which pesticides will be used and where, documentation that Winsted’s sewage treatment plant has the capacity to service the project, and identification of the source of golf course irrigation water.

Mr. Dennis Schain, a DEP spokesman, is reported to have stated the developers also need a water-diversion permit because they are proposing to divert and collect water from an area totaling more than 100 acres.

To add to the developer’s problems, the newspaper report also stated two financial institutions have civil suits pending against the developer. The claims allege the developer owes more than a combined $440,000.

As this issue was closing, we received a report saying a portion of the Aurora Rosa land holdings, the former Parol properties, are now in preforeclosure, which means a notice of default has been filed as the first step to foreclosure. If the default is not corrected, then the foreclosure begins in court.

Especially for new housing developments, these reports, as well as the poor economy, seem to indicate construction of these two developments might, at the very least, be delayed for some time.