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Milford, Connecticut

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Bring home the spirit of the holidays. Celebrate the Holidays at Walnut Beach Shops and Restaurants


Photo Courtesy Steve Wing, Architect

What a wonderful addition to Devon.

 


Thank you to Chris Saley (owner of Bridge House) and all of the hardworking committee members for the successful completion of the 1st Mural Project.

DEVON REVITALIZATION
DECEMBER  MEETING CANCELLED

7:00 p.m. at the Margaret Egan Community Center
Room 169 (meets 2nd Thurs. of each month)


 
Walnut Beach Association
Meeting
St. Gabriel Church Hall-Broadway-
All are Welcome!

 


7:00 p.m.
2nd Monday of
Each Month

DEC. MEETING
PARTY
Invitations have been sent to members

Resident's Opposing
Recycling Inc.
990 Naugatuck Ave.
 


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05/18/2005
Devon protests housing complex
Phil Helsel , Register Staff

 
MILFORD — The deep opposition to a housing complex proposed for a Devon neighborhood remained strong Tuesday night, with community residents packing a Planning and Zoning Board meeting and some even hissing the developer.
At press time, planners were still listening to residents opposed to a Naugatuck Avenue housing complex proposed by builder Louis D'Amato. The board was not expected to take any action. Board member John Ludtke, R-4, said, "There's still a lot of talking to do."

At least three dozen people crowded outside City Hall before the meeting, carrying signs that read things like "Density does not revitalize" and "Where is the traffic study?" Those same signs would be later be draped from the balcony as the meeting commenced.

During the meeting, D'Amato, who is proposing the project along with his sons James and Louis Jr. under the name Naugatuck LLC, and his attorney defended the project.

They said it was a proper use under both the city's zoning code and the state affordable housing regulations. According to the plans, 28 units in five buildings would be built on an overgrown plot of land.

Nine of the one- and two-bedroom apartments would be designated as "affordable," meaning that they are priced for occupants who make at most 80 percent of the median income in Milford of $76,660.

But the residents, most opposed to the project, say that it would contribute to an overcrowded section of town and exacerbate traffic problems on Naugatuck Avenue.

Many also felt that the city's zoning board has singled out Devon for low-income housing, because it designated Naugatuck Avenue — as well as New Haven Avenue and Boston Post Road — for low-income housing two years ago.

"I don't know about the legal stuff. I just feel that our end of Milford is getting awful crowded," said Linda Feller, 55, of 607 Milford Point Road. "They're trying to revitalize Devon, and you slam this in there. ... I just don't see where the neighborhood is going to gain anything from this."

Alderman Vincent Ditchkus Jr., R-3, who represents Devon, went further and questioned the legality of the designation.

The state's affordable housing law allows for developers to circumvent a city's zoning requirements to build affordable housing, and it prompted the city to designate areas for the affordable housing in the first place, said PZB Vice Chairman Mark Lofthouse, R-5.

D'Amato sees the fight as basically about low-income people and families moving to Milford.

"I didn't propose the zone. I'm just fulfilling what the zoning board said to do," said D'Amato, who is also the owner of D'Amato Brothers Builders. "Really, what they don't want is affordable housing. If that wasn't a part of this, it wouldn't be an issue."

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