SOUTHINGTON, CT — Like many towns in Connecticut, the ongoing housing shortage has Southington mulling projects that would increase the town's affordable housing stock.
But one such proposal for a 65-unit facility at 1104 S. Main St. has many residents concerned about safety and quality of life in town.
3 Squared LLC out of Plantsville proposes to build an L-shaped, four-story apartment building in Southington off South Main Street.
But in order for that to happen, it needs the Southington Planning and Zoning Commission to approve a text amendment in Southington's regulations to create an "affordable housing zone."
The PZC, then, must approve a change in the zoning district lines on the site, now zoned for business, to be included in this new "affordable housing zone."
Once those applications are approved, the PZC would have to debate and discuss a special permit to actually build the apartment complex.
The PZC has all three applications relative to the development on its agenda for Tuesday, June 3, at 7 p.m. at the John J. Weichsel Municipal Center, 196 N. Main St., Southington.
There, the PZC will continue and, possibly, close a public hearing dealing with all three applications and could render a decision.
At a marathon public hearing that started May 20, the PZC heard a presentation from the applicants, along with several comments from mostly concerned residents about the proposal and its impact on the community.
Attorney Andrea Gomes of Hartford-based Hinckley Allen represented the developers at last month's PZC meeting.
She said the apartment building would be located on a large parcel home to Rosewood Apartments (elderly housing), a jeweler, and Supreme Lake Manufacturing.
The site, Gomes said, is also near John F. Kennedy Middle School and a large residential area.
She said there is a "species of concern" on the proposed apartment building site, namely the "spotted turtle" at the rear of the site, with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection offering suggestions to maintain the habitat.
One of 3 Square's developers, Roy Edgen of West Pines Drive, Southington, said all members of the development group are originally from Southington.
As a result, Edgen said, the project will be built with the Southington community in mind, one that will add "much-needed housing supply."
Engineers and architects of the applicants presented various technical presentations on the plans to the PZC.
The applicants had some back-and-forth with PZC members during the hearing.
Southington PZC Chairman Robert Hammersley expressed some safety concerns, specifically, he said, the fact that architectural renderings didn't include any additional sidewalks in that area.
"I want to make sure that I'm understanding that you are including sidewalks along the entire site," Hammersley said.
Steve Giudice, principal at Cole Civil and Survey, Plantsville, and a representative of the applicants, said an existing sidewalk will continue to the front of the site.
But, he said, not much more than that is being proposed because of the topography of the site relative to the plans.
When the public was given the floor on May 20, no one spoke in favor of the project.
Many, however, expressed concerns and, at times, downright opposition.
Specifically, many had traffic concerns about South Main Street as it is now, with a new housing development being pitched there only increasing those worries.
"I hear people at night racing on that road, and it is used a lot for the fire department because it is a main road," said resident Susan Zelahanski. "I can hear the speed."
Mark Salus, owner of a jewelry design operation at 1082 S. Main St., said his parking lot is already clogged with folks parking for nearby school events and other reasons in that area.
He said adding 65 units in that area will only make parking more scarce and impact his business.
"Why are things like this being done?" Salus said. "Is this the only choice?"
Hammarsley said the PZC was to spend time since the hearing's opening mulling the comments and presentation, keeping the hearing open until Tuesday night.
Since the hearing is open, additional comments could be welcomed and, once the hearing is closed, the PZC could decide on the applications as early as Tuesday.