Highland Ridge/St. Anne’s Golf Course
Once again we can report there is no news on Aurora Rosa’s first development of 519 acres, 456 age-restricted housing units and an 18-hole golf course. The development was approved by the Inland Wetlands and Watershed Commission (IWWC) and the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) in the summer of 2006. 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.)

Aurora Estates
On June 9, 2008, the developer, Mr. Anthony Silano, presented a new plan that called for 100 age-restricted units to be built at the northern end of the development, in essence becoming a part of the Highland Ridge development that had already been approved. Another 125 unrestricted units would be built at the southern portion of the development.

This new plan was approved by the P&Z on November 24, 2008, thus resolving a lawsuit filed by the applicant in early June in Litchfield Superior Court. Mr. Silano had filed suit against the Town of Winchester after the P&Z had denied the first application on May 27, 2008.

In previous conversations, Mr. Silano stated he was ready to begin construction on Aurora Estates in late spring. I spoke to Mr. Silano during the first week of March and he responded he was still ready to begin construction of Aurora Estates as soon as he had the Winsted Sewer and Water Company tell him where they wanted the sewer and water lines to be placed along Route 800. When asked whether the current economic problems would delay his project or interfere with his investing capital, he replied currently two senior housing developments in the area were doing very well. He replied the economic climate would not interfere with the project and cited successful projects, one that he was involved with, Windham Homes, and one that he was not connected to, the senior housing complex in Oxford.

However, as I understand the process, before he can begin construction of Aurora Estates, he must first present a formal application with engineering drawings, etc., to the Sewer and Water Company. After their approval, he then must request a Department of Health review of the water and sewer plans and finally must get approval from the DEP.