P&Z Hearing Prompts Officials To Talk About Housing At FFH

By Kendra Bobowick

Housing may soon join the list of adaptive reuses for the Fairfield Hills campus.

Planning and Zoning Chairman Lilla Dean recalls, “We took [housing off the list] once, but my feeling is, it should be up for discussion.” She would like to “turn it into a public discussion.”

First Selectman Pat Llodra also strongly supports airing the topic. “The more public conversation we have the better.” The P&Z level offers “one more chance for people to voice their opinions.” She “does not know if there is any merit to housing” at Fairfield Hills, but stressed that “as a community it’s ok to listen, to hear all facts and make the best decision for the town.” Mrs Llodra said, “I hope there is no rush to the end line and we really think through this question and take time so members of the community are informed and engaged.”

As of late February, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members, in view of an undisclosed developer’s interest in creating multifamily housing in Cochran House, have agreed to conduct a public hearing on April 7 on whether such housing should be allowed as a permitted use. The adaptive reuse regulations for the campus do not include housing.

Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman John Reed said, “This is an interesting development and I think we’ve all been struggling with answers of how to react if something is submitted for a nonconforming use.” He said, “It’s fine to put it out and talk about it. It’s appropriate.”

Although P&Z may be “a little ahead of things, but that’s ok,” Mrs Llodra notes that the timing may work as the Master Plan Review Committee — also weighing the housing option — is aiming to make its recommendations to the Board of Selectmen in April.

Stressing that she is “not trying to force anyone’s hand,” Ms Dean explained that the P&Z reuses would need to include housing if the review committee decides to include it in the master plan.

“I don’t want to appear as if we’re putting down the review committee,” she said. “This is a piece that needs to be dealt with one way or another.”

Agreeing with Ms Dean, Mr Reed said that the P&Z decision would certainly affect the master plan. “Whatever the town wants to do must be in alignment with what P&Z sets forth for the town.”

Even if the rules change and housing makes the reuse list for Fairfield Hills, he said, “It does not mean that the town will immediately apply” the new rule. Anticipating the April hearing, he said, “It will be interesting to hear the reasons put forth by P&Z.”

Mrs Llodra said that even if housing does join the list of adaptive reuses, “It does not mean that this proposal is the right proposal.”

Mrs Llodra also supported Ms Dean’s integrity. “She won’t be driven by a special interest group.” Ms Dean and others in the past have been in support of using Fairfield Hills as a housing option, Mrs Llodra said.

 During the hearing, the zoning commissioners will “discuss and possibly act on” housing.

“I my opinion, there is not a majority opinion here,” regarding the best reuse for Fairfield Hills, Ms Dean said. “You have to have different things. It can’t be all municipal, ball fields, or housing. It has got to be a mix.”

Mr Reed said that a change to the adaptive reuse list would “change the expectations and rules for the property” and would “have a significant impact on the town.”

 “Another driving force” to open the housing topic for discussion was a recent study that identified Fairfield Hills as one of three primary locations for high density housing in Newtown. “We accepted that report, so we should look at it.”

The study identifies areas of town considered the most suitable places to build “affordable housing,” The 57-page study was prepared by Harrall-Michalowski Associates (HMA).

The areas are: the town-owned Fairfield Hills campus; the western section of Mt Pleasant Road (Route 6) in Hawleyville; and a northern section of South Main Street (Route 25).

Noting a third reason to explore housing, Ms Dean pointed out, “There is not much happening commercially, etc, up there.”

Most recently the Legislative Council members created a resolution asking the Fairfield Hills Authority to hear the developer’s proposal regarding Cochran House.

Authority members in early February had also voted to hear the developer’s plans and subsequently spoke with the town attorney regarding whether that meeting would be in executive session, or not. Mr Reed explained this week, “It’s clear that if we get a letter of intent [to lease a property] that it’s a public document and we would not meet in executive session.” He added, “I think if we get something along the lines of an offer it is a public document.” The developer has not come forward, but Mr Reed anticipates that any requests regarding the campus buildings “will be in public session.”