MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
Municipal Building May 5, 2011
3 Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
Present: Ms. Dean; Mr. Poulin; Mr. Bloom and Mr. Mulholland. Alternate: Mr. Pozek seated for Ms. Brymer and Mr. Cruson. Also present: George Benson, Land Use Director. Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
The meeting was opened at 7.35 p.m. Notice is made that the entire meeting was taped and can be heard in the Planning and Zoning Office, Municipal Building, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, SPECIAL DISTRICTS, FAIRFIELD HILLS ADAPTIVE REUSE (FHAR) ZONE FOR A RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL 1998-2005 FHAR REGULATION THAT ALLOWED MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELINGS AS PERMITED USE #22 AND 2005 FHAR REGULATION THAT ALLOWED REUSE OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS PERMITTED USE #22, AS NOTED IN A CERTAIN DOCUMENT ENTITLED “AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI – SPECIAL DISTRICTS, SECTION 3 – THE FAIRFIELD HILLS ADAPTIVE REUSE (FHAR)” DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2011
Ms. Dean asked to hear from members of the public wishing to speak.
Sheila Torres, 16 Phyllis Lane, Newtown thought the use made sense. She asked if housing for the elderly had been considered.
Randall Dykman, 3 Ketch Lane, Newtown was concerned about parking and effect the ballfields would have on the neighbors. He was involved in the building of Reed Middle School and wondered if this would cause serious congestion.
Rich Tondreau, 57 Mile Hill South, Newtown was opposed to the idea because of the traffic it would create on Mile Hill. He would like to see a golf course off Wasserman Way.
Rosemary Larkin, 36 Birchwood Drive, Newtown was opposed to it saying that it would be detrimental to the character of the town. Recreation is important to children.
Bruce Walczak, 12 Glover Avenue, Newtown, speaking for himself not as member of the Police Commission and Traffic Authority did not understand why this open space would be developed while the town is purchasing open space elsewhere. He was opposed to the proposal due to concern about the traffic. He was leery about any housing on Fairfield Hills.
Brian Scovin, 8 Nunnawauk Road, Newtown considered the meeting a waste of time, stating that it would turn Newtown into another Danbury or Bridgeport.
Kevin Fitzgerald 24 Old Farm Hill Road, Newtown distributed a handout that was added to the file showing details of the impact of housing on taxpayers. He could not see the cost benefit of the proposal.
David Steiner, 6 Nunnawauk Road, Newtown was opposed to the proposal. He did not want to see housing at Fairfield Hills because it would open the town up to lawsuits by developers wishing to also build.
Joe Carrino, 52 Jeremiah Road, Newtown did not want to see buildings pulled down and affordable housing built. He wants to see it left as it is and did not want to give up such a valuable resource.
Richard Trudeau, Newtown expressed concern about the contamination of drinking water.
Mr. Benson explained that the water pollution problem he and his neighbors are experiencing comes from a different source.
Bruce Wolczak asked if the building was going to be pulled down.
Ms. Dean said the building would not come down if used in this way.
Robert Krosky, 34 Mile Hill Road South, Newtown said the building should be considered for elderly residents who cannot afford their existing home.
John Boccuzzi, 18 Hundred Acre Road, Newtown, wrote a letter to the editor, which appeared in the Newtown Bee. He felt the residents were not being heard. The aim should be to lower taxes. He would like to see businesses encouraged adding that there is a need to come up with objectives.
Tom Dwyer, 8 Obtuse Road, Newtown Chair of the Commission on Aging noted a survey being circulated to see if there is interest in building affordable housing for the elderly.
Ms. Dean advised that no action will be taken on this matter until the Fairfield Hills Master Plan is completed, which will probably be early July.
Robert Alias, 11 Pebble Road, Newtown is associated with little league baseball. He would prefer to see more fields which would benefit the children.
The hearing was closed at 8:23 p.m.
DISCUSSION
Ms. Dean read what is currently permissible at Fairfield Hills. She addressed the issue of purchasing open space, saying that the State and Newtown are keen on having fewer development of one house on three acres. Instead having the houses closer together, thereby creating more open space. There is a need for diversity in Newtown. This is not low income or subsidized housing. This is trying to service a segment of the population that works in Newtown. Any site plan for the property would require a traffic study. There is no proposal currently under consideration. Any proposal would require a public hearing, at which time the public would have a chance to comment.
Mr. Cruson would like to see some homes for young residents.
Mr. Pozek said that multi-uses is the way he envisioned it.
Mr. Bloom had no problem with housing but would prefer to see European style. He did not want a 160 unit building. He would like it more restricted.
Mr. Poulin said that the public does not want housing, primarily because the children would raise taxes and it would open Fairfield Hills up to other housing. However, there is a need for diversified housing, but on a smaller scale and somewhere else.
Mr. Mulholland noted that the State has said that Newtown is far behind where it should be for affordable housing. He is opposed to apartment housing at Fairfield Hills because of the lack of infrastructure. He noted eight houses off Fairfield Hills behind which there is room for ten town houses, 50% of which could be made affordable offered to Newtown employees first.
Ms. Dean noted that the Commission was divided when Reed School was developed. There is no money to tear the buildings down and left as they are they will deteriorate more.
Mr. Porco thanked everyone for coming out. He thought it was a bad idea. He felt there is a need for an anchor at Fairfield Hills such as a large company. He said that no-one would build if they only have a twenty or thirty year lease.
The survey went on line today with a link to the town site and the information will be in the Newtown Bee.
A recess was called at 8:53 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:05 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR UPDATE TO THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT AS CONTAINED IN A DRAFT DOCUMENT ENTITLED “SECTIONS OF THE WORKING DRAFT TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT 2010 SANDY HOOK DESIGN DISTRICT DRAFT - HAWLEYVILLE CENTER DESIGN DISTRICT DRAFT - SOUTH MAIN STREET DESIGN DISTRICT DRAFT”.
This was tabled for a future date
MINUTES
Mr. Cruson moved to accept the Minutes of March 31, 2011 as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Bloom. The vote was unanimously approved.
Mr. Bloom moved to accept the Minutes of April 7, 2011 as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Porco. The vote was unanimously approved.
LAND USE AGENCY DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
Mr. Benson noted that the budget had been cut which means that the staff will not be available to work on the Plan of Conservation and Development as anticipated. The upcoming plan is not too different from the last and can no doubt be completed without the aid of a consultant.
COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE
Ms. Dean distributed a copy of a letter from the Conservation Commission to the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee stating that they would like most of the space used for open space and take it out of the running. She noted that some of the houses were due for demolition and some would remain for development. The town would not be involved in any renovation.
Ms. Dean advised that there will be a Smart Growth Seminar in the Conference Room Saturday, May 14, 2011 between 10:00am and noon.
Ms. Dean met with the Dauti lawyers who will be coming back to the Commission with a different architectural plan. No date has been set yet.
Mr. Porco asked for an update on the Newtown Savings Bank approved for Sandy Hook. Mr. Cruson said the changes were minor and the Bank Commission just sent through the okay on requirements.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Pozek made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Bloom. The vote was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
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