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04/21/2005 |
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PZB chief denies Devon is ‘dumped on’ |
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Phil Helsel , Register Staff |
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MILFORD — Stung by criticism on several fronts in recent
weeks, Planning and Zoning Board Chairman John "Jack"
Jansen fired back at opponents in a statement Wednesday
afternoon.
Specifically, he addressed comments made by angry Devon
residents concerning a proposed affordable-housing complex
planned for Naugatuck Avenue. Before a PZB meeting Tuesday
night, more than two dozen residents showed up in protest at
City Hall; although the issue was postponed, they accused
the zoning board of quietly designating the area for
affordable housing a year ago.
"The (zoning) board, in its regulations, has not been
dumping on Devon, and by no means has Devon been ‘red-lined’
for affordable housing (as) was charged by one citizen,"
Jansen said, in his prepared statement.
Jansen, in the statement, said that Devon, as well as three
other areas of the city, were designated for affordable
housing in full and open view of the public.
He also said that if there were no local areas that allowed
multi-family, affordable-housing developments, "developers
can pretty much put it where they want and make their own
rules."
The Naugatuck Avenue project is being pursued by James
D’Amato, son of D’Amato Brothers Builders owner Louis
D’Amato, and would mean construction of 28 one- and
two-bedroom apartments in six buildings on Naugatuck Avenue
near Milford Point.
Nine of the units would be designated as "affordable
housing," meaning that they would have to be priced lower
than market value.
If approved, the Naugatuck Avenue project would raise the
number of affordable-housing units in Devon to 34, Jansen
said, compared to 248 units that exist near Woodmont Road
and another 284 units that have been proposed, but are
currently in litigation, for Wolf Harbor Road.
Jansen released his statement late Wednesday afternoon.
Neither Kim Rose, an outspoken opponent of the Naugatuck
Avenue housing project, nor PZB Vice Chairman Mark Lofthouse
could be immediately reached.
Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr., although he had not seen the
letter, agreed with the spirit of the argument. He said that
there are several areas in the city designated for the type
of multi-family housing developments that could also qualify
for affordable housing.
"Affordable housing is a state statute," Richetelli said.
"It’s a statute that we have not been particularly fond of
here in Milford, but it has nothing to do with zoning."
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