To the Editor,

I am writing to express my concern, along with many other unit owners, about the proposed zone change (BPO TO M4) request for the property located at 176 Mt Pleasant Road, Newtown. We are residents of Liberty at Newtown Condominiums, and we are deeply troubled by the potential impact of this zone change on our community.

A petition for denial, signed by many of our unit owners, highlights the reasons why we believe this zone change is a bad idea. The proposed M4 zoning is incompatible with our current BPO zoning and would lead to increased traffic, noise, and potential safety hazards. Moreover, it would grant the developer flexibility to build various commercial establishments, potentially leading to unforeseen and detrimental development.

Of particular concern is the developer’s request to build a self-storage facility, which poses significant risks, including increased insurance premiums due to the potential for fires and other hazards. We believe that this zone change would negatively impact the character of our neighborhood, and would threaten our safety, and the quality of life for nearby residents.

We urge the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission to deny this zone change request and protect the interests of our community. We believe that it is essential to preserve the current zoning and ensure that any development in our area is consistent with the needs and concerns of residents.

The BPO (Business and Professional Office) zone intends to manage commercial development, preventing over-commercialization of the area.

Tulio E. Lopez

Newtown