Affordable Housing At Fairfield Hills?

To the Editor:

In May 1998, the Planning and Zoning Commission adopted zoning regulations for Fairfield Hills that expressly prohibited single-family homes; it now appears that this zoning regulation will be reversed.

Newtown needs to address the issue of “affordable housing.” Although a commendable gesture, it is not in the town’s best interest to overturn zoning regulations and cut up and parcel out pieces of the Fairfield Hills property.

And, what is affordable housing? The formula for affordable housing needs to be published so we all understand.

The proposed zoning changes reads as follows: “Reuse of existing single family homes for affordable housing. The affordable dwelling units shall contain covenants or deed restrictions which shall require that the units be sold or rented at, or below, prices which will preserve the units as housing for which persons and families pay 30 percent or less of their annual income, where such income is less than or equal to 80 percent of the median income as defined in Section 8-30g of the Connecticut General Statues, as amended.” (In 1998, the median income in Newtown was reported to be $98,100).

Before requesting a zoning change, the selectmen should make public the answers to the following questions. Failure to follow the usual real estate procedures suggests the selectmen are unaware or choose to ignore the proper process for evaluating properties.

1. Have the homes been inspected to determine if they are saleable?

2. Does the town have two to three written appraisals on the homes?

3. How much land will be included with each parcel? Land appraisal?

4. Who will pay for the renovations?

5. Who will be responsible for environmental issues?

6. Who will be responsible for repaving the road to access the homes?

7. Who will be allowed to buy or rent the houses?

8. Will a housing authority be created? Can developers bid?

9. Who will determine if the bidders are able to afford the houses?

10. Should they fail to maintain the houses, what recovery will the town have?

 Everyone knows that prior to selling a property the owner(s) need to complete property disclosures and lead disclosures. This allows the buyer to be aware of any known issues related to a property prior to purchasing. Only an appraisal and a market analysis by an experienced real estate broker can make these determinations. Have these been done?

The people of Newtown own these houses. Owners do not ask for zoning changes unless they determine it is in their best interest to request a change. While the Planning and Zoning Commission cannot force the selectmen to answer the questions I have raised before granting a zoning change, how can they determine if it is in the best interests of the citizens of Newtown who own the property to allow the eight homes to benefit eight families without more details?

I believe our 185-acre purchase should be preserved for passive recreation/open space and to meet the needs of the community…a cultural arts center, senior center, community center, future education site, and space for all municipal and education departments.

Therefore, I do not support the application by the Town of Newtown (the Board of Selectmen) that requests the Planning and Zoning Commission to amend the zoning regulations of the Fairfield Hills Adaptive Reuse Zone, Article IV, section 4.23. Fairfield Hills is not the place for housing — of any kind!

Linda E. Dunn

26 Old Bethel Road, Newtown                                  January 10, 2005