As the 55+ Community being proposed for the 100 Oakland Road development circles the town news, residents raise their concerns about what the development proposes to bring not only to the 100 Oakland Road area, but how it will affect the town of South Windsor as a whole.
Over the past couple months since the project has been proposed, town residents have been quick in response to voice their concerns about the project and how they think it will affect their town and the 100 Oakland Road area.
A big concern that has been shared among the residents is that the project will destroy the already limited green space left in town.
Green space is considered as a patch of trees, grass, and vegetation that is set apart from developments and other structures. It’s also used for many things like recreational activities (parks) and potential wildlife habitats.
The decreasing green space has become a national issue with green space all across the United States declining for many reasons, however the main issue of the decline has been urbanization and development pressures.
Connecticut is a state that has been a state highly affected by this national issue of a decline in green space, primarily due to zoning plans and urban sprawls. The 2025 Wildlife Action plan reports that there has been a 1% decline in green space in Connecticut since 2013, mostly due to residential and commercial development projects that have taken the land space.
Green space acts as habitats for many wildlife species, with the decline in green spaces there is naturally a decline in wildlife species due to their loss of habitat. Other things contribute to the loss of habitat and wildlife like pollution and invasive species, but development is a primary because it pushes the wildlife out of their habitat, forcing them to find new habitats and potentially putting them in danger.
According to CT Mirror Connecticut maintains over 135,000 acres of land that contain wildlife or wildlife management areas. They are mainly underdeveloped spaces that are managed for biodiversity rather than recreation of the land. However they are threatened by lack of funding to protect them and the increasing development pressure.
In the debate with the 100 Oakland Road development residents pose the concern that developing the land for the 55+ communities will cause the exact effect that has been playing out with green spaces in Connecticut and the Country.
In response to the development proposal, South Windsor High School Environmental teacher Deb Field, discussed the land and wildlife in South Windsor.
“South Windsor already by itself is really really fragmented, and there is not a lot of green space left in the region,” Field says in an Interview with The Prowl.
Field is completely neutral to the topic being debated and is understanding to both sides, but she states the problem with the fragmented areas in South Windsor and the impact it has on wildlife.
Field states that with an area so fragmented it is nearly impossible for wildlife to habitat in the area, especially with developed areas such as Buckland and Deming – which are highly developed areas surrounding the fragmented green space.
Residents have taken their concerns to the Inlands Wetland Agency, regarding what they think the potential impacts that the project will have on the wildlife, habitat, and green space in that area.
An example of this was on September 3rd when the South Windsor Inlands Wetland Agency held a public hearing that served as an outlet for numerous residents to voice their concerns regarding the estate.
The Inlands Wetland Agency had allowed applicant James Newbury and his professional team of developers to speak regarding aspects of the proposed development that the residents may be questioning.
However his speech left some residents with more questions than answers, multiple residents came to the podium after and spoke on the issue or on the speech given by Newbury and his team.
Residents that spoke after developer Newbury, talked about South Windsor decreasing green spaces, the loss of biodiversity, loss of wildlife and habitat, and how it will uproot the South Windsor community.
One resident that has been out spoken in advocating to keep the green space at 100 Oakland Rd, is Corey Davis. Davis is the co – founder of the Save South Windsor Organization. The purpose of the organization is to protect landscapes, wildlife, but also promote balance with developers and development plans that won’t destroy landscapes.
Davis is a local resident in South Windsor, and he voices the beliefs of others in the organization that also believe that keeping the green space, wildlife,and habitat in South Windsor is of the utmost importance.
In an Interview with The Prowl Davis voiced his concerns as well as the residents that have an opposition view against the project.
“The feedback we’ve received makes it clear: there is a strong and growing concern among South Windsor residents that the town is expanding too quickly, and there’s a widespread desire to preserve open space and limit further suburban sprawl,” Davis said.
The concern amongst residents like Davis is that the project will lead to the destruction of many wildlife, species, and wetlands which the parcels serve as a benefit to the wildlife and migrant life in the area. Along with increasing traffic on a supposedly busy road.
The Save South Windsor Organization has taken action to advocate for their position on the 100 Oakland Road development, Including public spread of word using social media, and speaking at town hall public hearings. They have also launched a petition with a current 586 signatures to stop the permit application for the development.
Apart from being an advocate for the residents in opposition to the project, Davis is personally affected by the development plan for the area.
As Davis lives right next to the land proposed to be developed, he has seen multiple wildlife and species habitats like Deer, Bobcats,Black bears, as well as some majestic raptors like the Red tailed Hawk and Cooper Hawk. By building the project Davis believes the animals will cease to have a habitat.
“I’m very aware of the natural beauty and ecological value of the area,” Davis says.
South Windsor Residents a part of the Save South Windsor Organization believe in keeping south windsor a green space and, to protect the biodiversity and habitat that live there.
While multiple residents of the town are opposed to the project, some believe there poses a possible alternative proposed. Many suggest the former Geisler’s land or the abandoned mills which would be more convenient and have less of an impact to the natural life in South Windsor.
“Our goal isn’t to be anti-development. We simply want to make sure any growth is smart, sustainable, and in line with what residents want for the future of South Windsor,” Davis said in an Interview with The Prowl.
South Windsor Inlands Wetland Agency has yet to come to a decision about the approval for the permit to begin construction on 100 Oakland Road. Residents plan to show up to the frequent public hearings, where more questions hope to be answered about the development.
