Back in 2003, plans for the age-restricted Isabella Court development at 92 Furnace Avenue included approval for 90 units; however, only about 60 of the approved units were built. Now, 22 years later, the original approval has lapsed. On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Glenville Development Corporation, located at 31 Wales Road, appeared before the Planning and Zoning Commission to request approval for the construction of 25 of the remaining units. Not all 25 units will be built immediately. Instead, they will be built over time as the sites are sold. 

Ultimately, according to Attorney Wendell Avery, not much has changed. The roads and drainage for the units are already in place. However, since 2003, the state has changed its stormwater runoff requirements. So, the only addition to the plans was four rain gardens designed to catch runoff from the roofs of the new units. Architect Kevin Grindle of Barton & Loguidice says he designed the rain gardens according to recommendations from UConn’s CT NEMO program. 

Avery made the case that these units are good for the town. In addition to being taxable property, they are age-restricted, meaning they will not attract families with children to the school district. The road is privately maintained and therefore does not require town services. 

Donna Wright, President of the Stafford Garden Club, inquired about the ongoing maintenance of the rain gardens, noting that invasives can quickly establish themselves and take over, rendering the system less effective. Maintenance of the gardens will fall to the association's maintenance company. Ultimately, the PZC made it a condition of approval that the association submit a yearly letter stating that the garden was inspected and maintained appropriately. 

Some nearby residents expressed concerns about flooding in one basement during big storms, while others said their basements had remained dry even during the worst storms and that they weren’t worried about it. Still, another condition of the approval was that there not only be erosion control measures in place during construction, but that stockpiles be kept on site to deal with issues as they emerge. As the development is built on the side of the hill, erosion and runoff are even bigger concerns than they might typically be.

Ultimately, the units were approved unanimously.