Yale Farm is on the market

NORTH CANAAN — Yale Farm, until recently part of a prolonged and contested effort to develop it into a private golf club, has been put up for sale. Klemm Real Estate is listing it for $24 million.

The 780-acre property in Norfolk and North Canaan includes a nine-bedroom main house, two farmhouses and numerous barns.

It is a patchwork of 17 parcels assembled by the Mead family generations ago. None of it has ever been subdivided. Much of it is still in its natural state, with open fields, wetlands and wooded areas.

Realtor Peter Klemm told The Journal, “Yale Farm is one of the most unique parcels we’ve ever seen, never mind dealt with. It’s a one-of-a-kind in the market. There is no precedent to compare it to in past sales.�

Klemm declined to discuss any specific strategies that might apply to the property, and said that any inquiries would be kept confidential.

“Generally, we leave no stone unturned,� he said, when asked if the sales approach would include promoting development of the property as separate parcels.

Members of the Mead family entered into a partnership with entrepreneurs Roland Betts and David Tewksbury, both part-time residents of North Canaan, forming Yale Farm LLC. Klemm confirmed that Yale Farm LLC is the current property owner.

The Yale Farm Golf Club project was officially proposed in 2003, generating unprecedented public interest as local, state and federal permits were sought.

Last April, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal jumped into the fray, saying he would contest a Department of Environmental Protection water diversion permit.

He planned to be in North Canaan for the start of the public hearing process. He told The Journal his main concern was a planned housing component that had been removed from the original project application.

Just days before the start of the hearing, the project was dropped. Betts said in a statement that the decision was based solely on the failing economy.

Adjoining property owner Wheaton Byers, who has deep family ties with his land, was one of those who lead an aggressive effort to stop the project, based mainly on environmental concerns.

“I hope it will be sold to an individual who appreciates the property,� he said, “and who will use the property for what it is.�

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