The long-vacant former Waterford airport property will remain vacant at least a while longer. Developers who had proposed a concrete plant at the site recently withdrew the application being considered by the Waterford Planning and Zoning Commission.

Some commission members expressed disappointment in the decision by Fabcon Precast. However, residents of a nearby 55-and-over community who had opposed the development no doubt breathed a collective sigh of relief at the news the company was withdrawing its plans.

We tend to agree with the residents of Beechwood Estates that locating a concrete plant so close to this neighborhood of 40 houses would not have been a good fit.

On the surface, the Waterford Parkway South location likely seemed perfect for Fabcon. The Minnesota-based company is looking to expand into the New England market and the site is just south of Interstate 95 with easy access to the highway. Most nearby development is commercial, office parks or healthcare providers. In addition, the Waterford Economic Development Commission supported the proposal.

The lengthy, dead-end Waterford Parkway South is also home for those who live at Beechwood Estates, however. Representatives of the homeowner’s association attended numerous public hearings on the Fabcon proposal, raising objections to the possibility of large, loud trucks rumbling near their neighborhood throughout the late-night hours. In addition, they raised questions about impact to their property values and the environment, along with safety concerns for Beechwood Estates residents who frequently walk on Parkway South. They correctly pointed out that the road condition is already poor and could be made worse by frequent heavy truck traffic.

While it’s not unusual for residents in this Land of Steady Habits to raise “not in my backyard” opposition to almost any type of development proposal that would bring changes to a neighborhood, we agree with Beechwood Estates residents in this instance. Waterford officials need to find a development for the former airport property that does not present such a stark and unhappy juxtaposition of residential and industrial use. This is exactly the type of conflict that appropriate and thoughtful land-use planning strives to avoid.

It’s unfortunate that despite its prime location near the East Coast’s major north-south interstate, the airport property has proven difficult to market. Since the airport ceased operations in 1987, the land has been targeted for redevelopment on numerous occasions, but no proposals have come to fruition for the site.

The quest to find development that bolsters property taxes without taxing municipal services is challenging. Competition among municipalities seeking to lure new development can be fierce.

In such an atmosphere, however, officials should not lose site to the fact that any development for this property must exist harmoniously with neighbors, including the residents of Beechwood Estates.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.