The Ridgefield Board of Selectman approved Wednesday evening a public hearing and town hearing to be held on June 27 and July 11, respectively, to discuss the donation of 25.59 acres of land to the town.
Albert and Charles Knapp, who inherited the land from their mother Bettina Knapp, have sold part of the estate, which consists of a house and 16 acres, and wish to donate the remainder to the town. The Bennetts Farm Road property is filled with rocks, knolls and intermittent streams, according to the board.
“It will remain in its natural state and perpetuity,” Selectman Rudy Marconi said at the meeting. “It’s an extensive piece of property and a nice welcomed addition to Ridgefield.”
The proposal was first presented to the Board on May 29 by the Conservation Commission, and approved by the Planning and Zoning commission Tuesday evening. The Knapp family has requested that the approval be done within 90 days.
The property’s back border lies entirely across Pierrepont State Park. The Conservation Commission, which has toured the property, believes the land can allow for new access to the park.
The Knapp brothers have also requested the property bear signage and be referred to as the Liebowitz-Knapp Sanctuary or similar wording.
