|
| |
|
08/03/2005 |
|
Milford rejects affordable housing |
|
Brian McCready , Milford Bureau Chief |
|
MILFORD—The Planning and Zoning Board, in a surprising vote,
denied developer Louis D’Amato’s 28-unit affordable housing
project Tuesday night, a move that left Devon residents
rejoicing.
But the enthusiasm may be short-lived because D’Amato has
already filed a reduced version of the plan with the city. That
proposal will be aired at a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Aug.16
at City Hall.
D’Amato was not at the meeting. The vote against the affordable
housing complex on Naugatuck Avenue was 6-2-1.
The vote was surprising because City Planner David Sulkis has
repeatedly said that the zoning board had no choice but to
approve the plans because it conformed with all regulations and
it was an affordable housing project. Sulkis and other officials
have routinely said the state’s affordable housing statute
allows developers to circumvent local zoning laws Even at a
meeting a month ago, PZB members said they would like the
project scaled back, but really could not foresee any basis for
a rejection.
D’Amato’s application had touched off a firestorm of controversy
in Devon. More than 200 residents protested the application at a
public hearing in May, saying it was too dense. Approval, they
said, would be akin to "dumping" on Devon.
The city in 2002 designated a section of Naugatuck Avenue as
being able to sustain affordable housing in an effort to control
the density of such applications.
Last month, however, top city officials met with D’Amato and
urged him to scale back his proposal and delete the affordable
housing component, sources said. D’Amato agreed, and has already
filed new plans calling for 21 units that don’t include
affordable housing.
Kim Rose, who led Devon residents against the plan, said she was
stunned by the board’s vote.
"I’m totally shocked. I thought they would vote yes," Rose said.
"In all of their hearts they knew it would be something bad for
the area."
Rose said while she is relieved the plans were rejected, she is
concerned about an appeal.
Additionally, residents plan to protest D’Amato’s revised
application.
"Twenty-one units is better, but it’s still not in the best
interest of residents," Rose said.
PZB member Frank Goodrich, R-3, made the motion to reject the
plan. He said D’Amato did not offer garages for handicapped
residents and the three handicapped units only have one bedroom.
Goodrich said handicapped people often live with a parent or
their children and should have another bedroom. No other board
member commented on the application and why the board should
vote to reject or approve the plans.
PZB member Bradford W. Hubler, R-4, said he would favor the
plan, but did not elaborate. John Ludtke, R-4, also voted yes.
Brian McCready can be reached at
bmccready@nhregister.com or 876-6800.
|
|
|
