95 Acres On a Country Rd. Bordering Barkhamsted and New Hartford

Wetlands map

250 W. West Hill Rd. Barkhasted & 18 Niles Rd. New Hartford is currently mapped wrong, so we are mapping 272 W. West Hill Rd. which is the last address in Barkhamsted. 18 niles is the first address in New Hartford.

Rare 95-Acre Forested Opportunity at 272 W. West Hill Rd, Barkhamsted, CT 06065 (MLS #24136290)

Discover Serenity on the Edge of Two Charming Towns: A 95-Acre Canvas for Your Legacy

Nestled at the very edge of Barkhamsted—Connecticut’s quintessential rural retreat—this extraordinary 95-acre forested parcel spans the border of Barkhamsted (66 acres at 160 W. West Hill Rd) and New Hartford (29 acres at 18 Niles Rd). Use 272 W. West Hill Rd. Barkhamsted to get you close.   Look for the sign across from Perkins St.  There is a pull off by the sign.

Currently classified and taxed as forest land—enjoying an ultra-low annual tax burden of just $800 per year—this pristine property offers unmatched potential for visionaries seeking privacy, legacy-building, or community impact. Note: Due to mapping discrepancies, 18 Niles Rd appears incorrectly; this unified lot represents the “last address” in Barkhamsted and the “first” in New Hartford, creating a unique bi-town gateway.

Envision your dream here: Craft a grand estate with sweeping views of rolling hills and Little Brook; establish a multi-generational family compound amid whispering pines and seasonal wildflowers; or pioneer affordable housing—leveraging the town’s Incentive Housing (IH) overlay and low affordable stock (under CT’s 8-30g threshold)—to echo successes like Barkhamsted’s Mallory Brook project. With gentle contours (elevations 800-1,000 ft per GIS topo), scattered wetlands (purple-shaded buffers on the New Hartford map), and abundant uplands, the site supports creative, low-impact development while honoring the area’s conservation ethos. More details coming soon—surveys, wetlands delineations, and conceptual renderings available upon request.

Why This Location is a Haven for Mindful Living

Tucked in Litchfield County’s Northwest Hills—where small-town charm meets endless natural beauty—this property places you in two of Connecticut’s most desirable rural enclaves. Barkhamsted (pop. ~3,701 projected 2025, median age 45.5, median household income $126K) embodies quiet affluence: 96% US-born residents, 83% family households, and a conservative-leaning community that values education (high school grad rate 95%+) and outdoor stewardship. Its seven historic villages (e.g., Riverton, Pleasant Valley) foster a tight-knit vibe, with top-rated schools like Barkhamsted Elementary serving a student body that’s 85% white, 10% Hispanic, and focused on small-class innovation.

Adjacent New Hartford (pop. ~6,739 projected 2025, median age ~44, median household income ~$110K) adds a touch of refined energy: Slightly more diverse (90% white, growing Hispanic and Asian populations), with 80% family households and strong emphasis on work-life balance (82% white-collar workforce). Both towns boast low poverty rates (<5%), excellent healthcare access (e.g., nearby Winsted Medical Center), and commutes under 30 minutes to Hartford’s insurance hub—ideal for professionals seeking roots without urban hustle.

Endless Outdoor Adventures at Your Doorstep

This lot is a nature lover’s paradise, near state forests and brooks that feed into the Farmington River watershed. Key nearby gems include:

  • People’s State Forest (Barkhamsted): 3,000+ acres of hiking, fishing, and cross-country skiing trails—home to the region’s best trout streams and the historic CCC shelters. Perfect for fall foliage hikes or winter snowshoeing.
  • American Legion State Forest (Barkhamsted/New Hartford border): Adjacent to your property, offering camping, picnicking, and hunting amid old-growth hardwoods. Kayak Little Brook or spot wildlife like deer and eagles.
  • Lake McDonough Recreation Area (Barkhamsted, <5 miles): MDC-managed gem with beaches, boating, and fishing piers—open daily May-Sept, with wheelchair-accessible spots. A serene escape just minutes from Route 219.
  • Brodie Park (New Hartford, ~3 miles): Family-friendly with playgrounds, tennis courts, a pool, and Berkshire Hall for events—plus miles of trails linking to Satan’s Kingdom State Recreation Area for whitewater rafting.
  • Nepaug State Forest (New Hartford, adjacent): Vast expanses for mountain biking, equestrian trails, and birdwatching, with scenic overlooks of the West Branch Reservoir.

These spots underscore the area’s commitment to recreation—both towns rank high in state park access, with over 50% forested land promoting biodiversity and clean air.

The Timeless Benefits of Calling This Home

Living here means embracing the best of rural Connecticut: Ultra-low taxes ($200/year on forest classification) stretch your dollar further than in urban hotspots, while proximity to Hartford (25 miles) unlocks jobs in insurance/finance (60K+ roles) without the commute grind. Enjoy four-season magic—vibrant autumns rival Vermont’s, snowy winters for cozy firesides, spring blooms along Mailet Ln, and summer swims in nearby reservoirs. Families thrive in top-rated schools (Barkhamsted: A-rated district; New Hartford: 95% graduation rate), with safe streets (crime rates 50% below state average) and community events like Riverton’s annual Fair or New Hartford’s holiday lights.

 

Seize This Rare Opportunity—Your Story Starts Here

At 95 acres, this isn’t just land—it’s a legacy. Whether a private sanctuary, family retreat, or community cornerstone (explore IH zoning for bonuses on affordable builds), the possibilities are as vast as the views. Priced to move: Contact BIOS Homes today for private tours, financing options, or modular concepts. More coming soon—don’t miss the chance to own the edge of two worlds.

Schedule your showing: (203) 994-3950 or [email protected].

Health and wellness soar: Fresh Farmington Valley air, farm-to-table markets (e.g., Riverton General Store), and yoga spots in Brodie Park combat stress. Retirees love the peace (median age skews mature), while young families appreciate equitable growth via initiatives like Barkhamsted Housing Trust’s affordable pushes. Ecologically, it’s a win—90%+ open space aligns with both towns’ POCDs (Barkhamsted 2017-2027: rural preservation; New Hartford 2015: balanced development), qualifying for grants and easements.Seize This Rare Opportunity—Your Story Starts HereAt 95 acres, this isn’t just land—it’s a legacy. Whether a private sanctuary, family retreat, or community cornerstone (explore IH zoning for bonuses on affordable builds), the possibilities are as vast as the views. Priced to move: Contact BIOS Homes today for private tours, financing options, or modular concepts. More coming soon—don’t miss the chance to own the edge of two worlds.

Powered by BIOS Homes: Connecting buyers, builders, and factories for sustainable dreams. Our mission: Making housing accessible to all.


Listed by Steve Schappert,

Connecticut Real Estate Brokerage LLC.

Call or Text 203-994-3950

StephenSchappert@gmail.com


The property is currently taxed as forest. The process to make it buildable is as follows according to GROK, verify at town hall.

Process to Convert Forest Land to Buildable Land in Barkhamsted, CT

(66 Acres at 160–272 W. West Hill Rd – PA-490 Forest Classification)

Turning forest land (currently taxed at ~$200/year under PA-490, CGS §12-107a–e) into buildable land in Barkhamsted does not require “re-zoning” the land itself—all land in the R-2 Rural Residential District is already buildable per Zoning Regulations Chapter 193. The key is removing or modifying PA-490 status and obtaining subdivision and wetlands approvals to create legal building lots. The process is regulatory, not prohibitive, and can be accelerated with 8-30g/IH overlays for affordable housing.


Step-by-Step Process (Timeline: 6–12 Months)

Step Action Authority Cost / Notes
1. Confirm Zoning & PA-490 Status Verify R-2 zoning (already buildable) and current PA-490 enrollment. Zoning Enforcement Officer (Debbie Brydon) Free – Call 860-379-5410
2. File PA-490 Withdrawal or Modification Submit Form PA-490A to Assessor to remove forest designation from buildable portions only (e.g., 10–15 acres). Town Assessor (Sharon Neumann Lyons) No fee; triggers rollback tax
3. Pay Rollback Tax (PA-490 Penalty) Pay 7 years of tax savings at current fair market value for the portion removed. Tax Collector Estimate: $5K–$15K for 10 acres (based on $50K–$100K/ac fair market)
4. Wetlands Delineation & IWC Review Hire soil scientist to flag wetlands (purple zones on GIS). File IWC permit if any activity within 100-ft buffer (Ch. 133). Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) $5K–$10K + $300–$500 application fee
5. Subdivision Application (Conservation Design) Submit conservation subdivision plan (Ch. 170) to P&Z – cluster homes on 10–15 acres, preserve 50–70% open space. Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) $1,000–$3,000 + engineering
6. Apply for IH Overlay (Optional – Fast Track) Request Incentive Housing (IH) District overlay (proposed §193-67.2) for density bonus (≥20% affordable). P&Z Free; 100% affordable = max bonus
7. 8-30g Pre-Application (If Denied) File 8-30g appeal if P&Z denies – mandatory approval if <10% affordable stock. Superior Court Legal fees ~$10K–$20K
8. Final Approvals & Building Permits Record mylar, post bonds, get building permits per lot. Building Official $500–$1,000 per lot

PA-490 Rollback Tax Example (10 Acres Removed)

Item Amount
Current Forest Tax $200/year (entire 66 ac)
Fair Market Value (est.) $75,000/acre
Mill Rate (2025 est.) 32.5
Annual Tax if Buildable ~$2,440/acre
7-Year Savings ~$17,080/acre
Rollback for 10 acres ~$12,000–$15,000 (one-time)

Pro Tip: Only remove PA-490 from buildable uplands – keep wetlands & steep slopes in forest to minimize rollback


Resources—focusing on multi-town coordination (rare but feasible via NWCOG), grants, and tools. I’ve prioritized downloadable PDFs and interactive maps for your 169-town BIOS pages. Embed them in a “Development Toolkit” section: “Build Your Vision – Key Resources Below.”

Category Suggested Link/Resource Why Add It? Source/URL
Multi-Town Coordination (NWCOG) Northwest Council of Governments (NWCOG) Regional Planning Guide (covers Barkhamsted/New Hartford joint projects, e.g., shared infrastructure). PDF: Regional Plan of Conservation & Development (2023). Enables bi-town subs (e.g., trails crossing borders like Candlewood model); your 95 acres = perfect pilot. NWCOG RPCD PDF – Free download.
Grants & Funding CT DECD Municipal Development Grants (for infrastructure in rural towns; up to $500K for conservation housing). Application guide PDF. Funds septic/roads for your $3–5M Tiny Haven; ties to BIOS Ministries grants. DECD Municipal Grants – Link to “Municipal Development” page.
Environmental/Septic Expansion FVHD Full Septic Regulations & Design Manual (beyond forms; includes aerobic systems for wetlands). 50+ page PDF. Details no-discharge rules for Little Brook/Morgan; add to your “Advanced Septic” pitch. FVHD Resources – Direct PDF download.
8-30g Expansion Full 8-30g Statute & Appeal Checklist (CGS §8-30g, with 2025 amendments). OPM guide PDF (20 pages). Builds on your page 1 link; includes burden-shift templates for appeals. OPM 8-30g Guide – Free PDF.
Zoning Maps/Overlays Barkhamsted Zoning Map (Interactive GIS) – Full parcel viewer with IH overlay potential. Visuals for R-2 districts; buyers can “zoom to 160 W. West Hill Rd.” Barkhamsted MapGeo – Embed interactive layer.
Zoning Maps/Overlays New Hartford Zoning Map (PDF + GIS) – 2023 edition with R-3 boundaries. Shows your UNIQUE_ID=3618 in context; add to GIS print. New Hartford Zoning Map PDF – Direct download.
Subdivision/Planning Barkhamsted Subdivision Regs (Ch. 170, 40+ pages; conservation design rules). Details clustering for 90% open space; complements your POCD. eCode360 Barkhamsted Subdivisions – Full text/PDF export.
Incentives/PA-490 CT PA-490 Forest Tax Program Guide (withdrawal/rollback calculator). DEEP PDF (15 pages). Explains $12K rollback for 10 acres; keeps taxes low on preserved land. DEEP PA-490 Guide – Free PDF.
Regional/Multi-Town Litchfield Hills Council of Elected Officials (LHCEO) Resources – Joint development toolkit (covers Barkhamsted/New Hartford). Guides inter-town agreements (e.g., shared septic); NWCOG affiliate. LHCEO Toolkit – PDF downloads.
Affordable Housing CT DOH Affordable Housing Dashboard – Town-by-town % affordable data (Barkhamsted: 1.5%; New Hartford: 2.2%). Interactive tool. Proves 8-30g applicability; embed for “Check Your Town’s Threshold.” DOH Dashboard – Free interactive map.
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