To the Editor:

The fight of our life is on, and it is against high density housing – not just in our town, but everywhere! As a homeowner in Sandy Hook, it was my decision to locate here due to the bucolic and picturesque nature of the town. Well that is about to change, according to what’s going on now. We as a community must take note that this won’t be the first, or the last, of these large tract developments that create blight and traffic woes for everyone who live here.

The meeting on Thursday night [August 6] to discuss the “River Walk Condos” was a done deal right from the start. Those in attendance listened to the discussion of the “lovely” historic colors and “outside plantings”. However, after hearing the “niceties” of the exterior, all that crossed my mind was traffic. The significance of the project to Sandy Hook Center just didn’t feel right to me, nor did it fit into my picture of a charming addition to the town. Any three-story structure such as this is not charming at all, nor does it even resemble anything historical!

The size and scope of the project grew substantially from its original plan (24 to 65 units). We all know that affordable housing is needed in our area, however, this is not the place for it. “Dumping” literally hundreds of cars on a two lane roadway should be a cause for concern. The response time for emergency vehicles would be jeopardized and not mentioned at all. The traffic study was done when school was not in session and doesn’t include the added volume of cars once the new Sandy Hook School is open. The suggestion to have an independent traffic study by one woman was literally wiped under the mat.

To those supporters who say business will increase in Sandy Hook center, my argument is, if there isn’t business there now, why would they think this is going to make any difference? People are shopping at BJ’s , Walmart and Costco, not Sandy Hook Center for the things they need. Just look at the variety of stores… frankly there isn’t any!  There are long lines coming out of Figs, so perhaps it’s the businesses we need to address.

Lastly, I would encourage anyone who spoke in support of this “high density” to take a closer look at the condo fees and other expenses before thinking that these things are truly affordable. 

Sincerely,

Barbara Germak

52 Moccasin Trail, Sandy Hook   August 7, 2015