Losing Control Of Zoning

To the Editor:

It has come to my attention through conversations with concerned neighbors that the property owner across the street from my home is petitioning the town to change the zoning from residential to EH-10. The land owner is seeking to put in 104 units of elderly housing on 34 acres. This is particularly dismaying information. We already have 180 units of elderly housing up the block as well as 34 pending units of affordable housing around the corner on Church Hill Road. This area of Newtown currently shows up on the population map as bright red for greatest density. Is there a prize for greatest density? No there is not. The existing homeowners are left to deal with the problems this type of development brings.

During the morning and afternoon rush hours it is almost impossible to exit my driveway. My house is one away from the corner. Currently during this time period, it is not uncommon to have upwards of seven or more cars idling as they wait to turn onto Church Hill Road. A light on this corner would not alleviate this congestion. On the contrary, it would make it impossible to exit my driveway, and I would be breathing more exhaust from more idling cars and trucks. Since Church Hill Road is a state road the town can’t decide to put a traffic light at this intersection. The state is extremely wary of putting another traffic light so close to the already existing light at the entrance to I-84. Changing the zoning and building the units would only serve to make the congestion worse. The land owner and builder would have the town believe that the elderly would not contribute to the morning and afternoon rush. That may or may not be so. What is certain is that more units will make the morning and afternoon congestion last longer. Will the morning and afternoon rush hours merge making one continuous stream of cars waiting to turn the corner? Is this desirable? Whatever happened to quality of life in this corner of  Newtown?

The developers of Walnut Tree Hill Village have taught the homeowners along Walnut Tree Hill Road that a change in the zoning is not in our best interest. Our last experience with EH-10 zoning changes were filled with deception, lies, misrepresentations, and unethical maneuverings of the zoning appeals process by the developers. It has soured our belief in the town’s ability to enforce its zoning regulations. It is dangerous to change the zoning because the town loses control over how the land is developed. The town changed a small parcel of land to EH-10 along Church Hill Road so that the builders of Walnut Tree Hill Village could put in a driveway. Years went by and a new developer bought the small parcel of land and wanted to put in more elderly housing. He didn’t have sufficient acreage to do that so he petitioned the state for affordable housing and now we are faced with 34 pending units on four acres. This is a prime example of loss of control. There is no telling if the current petitioning land owner really wants elderly or affordable housing. Once the change is made no one can stop the development from happening. This land is zoned correctly. Develop it the way it is currently zoned. Do not over burden this part of Newtown. We already carry our red badge.

Sincerely,

Virginia Zimmermann Gutbrod

4 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook               November 2, 2004