Only the Developers Win

To the Editor:

Why is it that when the public objects to and speaks out against some imminently damaging project (insert here: cell tower, condos, new development) they are immediately labeled NIMBY? (Not in my backyard). Could it be a concerted effort on the part of developers and their enabling public servants to dismiss the validity of public protest? Having been through so many of these battles, I would say yes. But why should what the public wants and what the town wants be considered mutually exclusive? They are not, at least on paper.

Today I received a mailing from the Rosenthal-Bojnowski Team, reiterating their mission statement — “Fighting to preserve the character of Newtown is not just a political slogan.” And according to the latest Newtown Plan of Conservation and Development, the Vision Statement for our town over the next ten years is “to protect and enhance its picturesque, rural, historic New England setting and attributes.” If only it could be true!

Developers are requesting a change in zoning of a parcel of 19.9 acres at 32 Alberts Hill Road to EH-10 zoning from R-2. This would allow them to build five condos per acre, as opposed to the existing zoning in the neighborhood of two acres per residence. Let’s look at the potential score card.

Developer: Gross income from 56 condos vs 7 houses. I’ll do the math — that’s about $21million vs $4.5 million. (Estimating $375,000 per condo and $650,000 per house.)

Town: Slightly, relatively, and arguably more tax dollars from residents without school children.

Townspeople: Another breach of zoning to allow high density development that will destroy the fabric of our town, wreak traffic safety havoc, impede upon one of the few greenways in the area and pave the way for irresponsible development on small parcels of land throughout Newtown.

Let your town leaders and P&Z know — enough is enough! Let’s see if their actions prove that their concerns about the future of Newtown are not mere rhetoric.

Julia Nable

10 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook                 November 2, 2005