Present: ~~Frank Taylor; Chairman, Gerry Casiello; Vice Chairman, Ben Gordon; Secretary, Marshall Sanford, Joe Ventricelli, John Shaban, Amy Atamian, Gary Miyashiro
Also Present: ~Bob Flanagan, ZEO, Natalie Ketcham, First Selectman
Mr. Gordon read the legal notice into the record.
PUBLIC HEARING
Georgetown Land Development- Discuss with Commission Modifications to Master Plan and Master Site Plan Approval
MOTION: ~Mr. Casiello made a motion to enter the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. ~Mr. Sanford seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
Attorney Richard Gibbons, representing Georgetown Land Development Company, introduced Engineer Terry Gallagher and Landscape Architect Bob Gilchrist. Mr. Gibbons submitted a revision to a letter that he included in the original package. The revision infers that the total number of residential units will not be deducted from the affordable senior housing. Mr. Gibbons said that GLDC is maintaining the proposed 55 units of affordable housing.
The application before the Commission is to amend the Master Plan Special Permit and the Master Plan Site Plan, specifically to remove Section 4 of the addendum to the letter of intent dated August 18, 2004. The addendum states that “Approximately 40 % of the detached single family houses and 40% of the townhouses in the West Pond District would be age restricted.” Mr. Gibbons explained that it was part of the original covenant to age restrict due to a concern that additional pressure would be put on the towns resources with this many units coming online at once. The age restricted units must be owned or occupied by at least one resident over the age of 55 years old. This provision is unenforceable. Age restriction can be considered discrimination.
Mr. Gibbons explained that one option is to segregate a community from other communities, age restricting at least 80% of all the units created. During the process, it was discovered that 80-100% of all 416 proposed residential units in the development and segregate them from the rest of the development. This is not a physical possibility and not what the Town or GLDC had in mind for the site.
Mr. Gibbons discussed statistics as to the probable number of school aged children with respect to the number of single family detached units vs. townhouse units. The number of children in townhouse units were less than half that of the single family numbers.
Another option would be that the original 13 single family attached dwellings be converted into 23 townhouses. Additional townhouses produce more revenue to the Town by a higher property value. Townhouse units are less appealing to families with children, as there are typically no yards and there is no playground planned for this project.
In addition to the site plan approval, an amendment to the license through the Conservation Commission is required as well as a re-subdivision of the section from the Planning Commission.
Gene Connolly urged the Commission to keep the public hearing open and consider the proposed amendments and their impact on any tax benefit.
Adam Lubarsky noted that an age 55 restriction may not mean that there are not school aged children in the household.
Mr. Casiello pointed out that this was brought to the Commission as a tax positive plan that could generate approximately $5 million more than it consumes. The proposed amendments could impact this goal.
Mr. Gibbons said there was no evidence that the proposed amendment would decrease the tax benefit.
Mike D’Agostino had concerns with regard to the increased number of students in a school system that may not be able to accommodate them.
John Redenos was concerned with density issues and asked the Commission to keep the public hearing open.
Mike Pilato expressed concern over the number of changes in the original plan and asked that the hearing remain open.
Ralph Bosch said that the number of school aged children should have little impact on the tax benefit and that the project should be moving forward without further delays.
Communication from the Conservation Commission, the Planning Commission and the Town Attorney expressed no issues with the proposed amended plan.
MOTION: Made by Mr. Casiello and seconded by Mr. Sanford, the public hearing closed at 8:49 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Val Koniecki, Clerk
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