Planning and Zoning Meeting June

07/06/2005

PZB seeks to cut size of project in Devon

Brian McCready , Milford Bureau Chief

MILFORD — Planning and Zoning Board members had a simple message for developer Louis D’Amato Tuesday night: Reduce the size of your affordable housing project in the Devon section.

The PZB took no action on D’Amato’s bid to construct a 28-unit complex on Naugatuck Avenue that includes nine affordable units.

The board must vote on the application by Aug. 25. Members suggested the extra time would allow D’Amato to scale back the size of his project. However, if that does not occur, the project will likely be approved anyway because it conforms to zoning regulations, members said.

City Planner David Sulkis told members that D’Amato has not made any alterations to his proposal as of Tuesday night. City sources reaffirmed that D’Amato is likely to reduce his project from 28 to between 20 and 22 units and remove the affordable housing aspect, but may now wait until garnering approval on his pending application so that he could still use those plans in the event revised plans, which do not include an affordable housing component, are denied.

Devon residents have railed against the proposal, saying the complex is too dense and would add cars to already crowded streets and children to overburdened schools. Led by Kim Rose, residents have already stated they plan to sue if D’Amato’s original application is approved by the city.

Residents have alleged that Devon is being "dumped on" by the city. More than 200 Devon residents jammed City Hall in May to attend a public hearing denouncing D’Amato’s plans.

PZB member Jean Cervin said she would love to vote against the project, but it meets all the city’s regulations. 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.

"There’s only one person who can change this and that’s Mr. D’Amato," said Cervin.

PZB Vice Chairman Mark Lofthouse, R-5, said he hopes D’Amato will reduce the number of units from 28 to 20.

Sulkis reiterated D’Amato’s proposal meets "all the requirements in the book." "You can talk about tweaking it but there is no basis for it," Sulkis said. "He can put whatever he wants there as long as it’s affordable housing. … You’ve got your hands tied."

City officials have routinely stated the state affordable housing statute allows local developers to circumvent local zoning laws.

PZB member Frank Goodrich, R-3, said he wished he did not have to vote on the application. He said the proposal will not adversely affect schools, will generate less traffic than a mixed-use development, and the height of the buildings is not intolerable.

But Goodrich noted while the project may conform to regulations he can not vote to approve the plans.

"The people elected me and I will vote against this project," Goodrich said.