To the Editor:

The next steps in the private residential housing implementation are the approval of the Master Plan Amendment and a hearing on the zoning change on Fairfield Hills. It is important that those who are concerned about apartments on The Campus pay special attention to each step going forward. Each step needs to reflect the history of the campus and steps taken along the way. That history and substantial past discussions should put the approval of apartments on the campus in perspective and guide the Planning and Zoning Commission. I encourage each P&Z commissioner to thoroughly read the history of each of the three Master Plan Committees.

The Master Plan of 2013 started the process of discussing housing on the campus, but specified that the discussion be limited to apartments above commercial space, the “Main Street concept” of retail and commercial on the first floor and apartments above. This could fall through the cracks without a diligent public to insist on protecting the character of the campus. The suggested amendment drafted by the BOS (Board of Selectmen) already has changed the focus from “commercial with some apartments” to “apartments with some commercial.” The possibility of a standalone apartment building has entered into the process.

What did the public think the plan was when they approved a referendum allowing some apartments on the campus? Was there to be two standalone apartment buildings or was it to be the renovation of two buildings with retail/commercial on the first floor and apartments above? How much space was to be dedicated to commercial/retail vs these apartments?

Another issue that seems to be changing is whether assisted living, which is now recommended as an approved activity on the campus, is part of the “no more than two buildings” or could there now be a third building housing residences for those needing assistance? Did we now escalate to three buildings with private residential apartments in them?

Parking is also an issue. Will current campus parking be displaced for private residence parking? Will open space, some the result of significant town expense to create, now be taken over by the developers? Will parking be shared or exclusive? Will parking stay true to the character of the campus or simply be an asphalt jungle?

I hope you, the reader, can understand why continued attention to the process going forward is important. The Planning and Zoning commission will hold a hearing in Jan 7th, which can be watched and participated in via a zoom call (see the town site for the invite). Stay involved, pay attention, let your voices be heard. The Devil is always in the details.

Bruce Walczak

12 Glover Avenue, Newtown January 8, 2021