Members of the Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission have approved plans for the Mystic Preserve Senior Living assisted living complex on 18 acres of the former Coogan farm.

The property is part of a 63-acre parcel owned by the Clara Morgan Coogan Trust that is currently under subdivision review by the Town of Stonington. The 245-unit will be built by Morningside Management of Virginia and BROM Builders of Norwich.

The Trust for Public Land and the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) have reached a preliminary agreement to purchase 34 acres of the farm for conservation, recreation and habitat protection.

The 34-acre acquisition will join 11 acres of open space set aside as part of the subdivision of the larger property on which the age-restricted living units will be built.

“The Coogan Farm offers important conservation and recreational values, wildlife habitat, archeological resources and natural features. It captures the essence of Mystic country with stonewalls, meadows and vistas across the Mystic River to the west and southward over Long Island Sound. With a prominent location between Coogan Boulevard and Route 27, it offers unparalleled opportunities and connections for residents and visitors to Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, and adjacent neighborhoods and businesses,” stated Maggie Jones, DPNC executive director.

If the acquisition is successful, the nature center will then be the permanent owner and manager of the land, which will create a greenway for wildlife and people by connecting the nature center, Denison Homestead and Avalonia Land Conservancy properties to the Mystic River.

BROM Builders and the Nature Center have agreed to work together to develop public trails and remove invasive plant species on the former Coogan farm to mitigate the impacts of a sewer easement that will cross the property.