‘Once It’s Gone, It’s Lost Forever’
To the Editor:
When is 6 Commerce Road NOT REALLY on Commerce Road? ... When it’s actually 700 yards behind Patience Farm’s big red barn on Queen Street.
For those of you who have yet to discover this most beautifully serene space quietly tucked in the CENTER of Newtown, come take a look. Just beyond the Newtown Post Office on Commerce Road, there is a new gravel road (driveway) recently opened on the right with a sign indicating access to the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary (CVHAS) parking area. As you’re driving along this gravel road (driveway), a tranquil open field dotted with orange-taped stakes denoting corners of buildings and centerlines of roads comes into view.
Continue along and after parking in the CVHAS parking area, step out and take just a quiet moment to look around, listen to the birds ... and on that tranquil open field ... envision a housing complex consisting of TWO large four-story buildings with clubhouse and pool ... plus TWO smaller three-story structures ... and a townhouse building! Where the opportunity now exists for hiking, biking, walking with dogs, wildflower viewing and x-country skiing, 171 residential units are proposed. How’s the tranquility now?
The Inland Wetlands plus Planning and Zoning Commissions need to give approvals for the developers to move forward. Please call your local and state elected officials and tell them NOT to sell this property but to keep it for the enjoyment of all ... Once it’s gone, it’s lost forever!
Janet Hovious
Sandy Hook
6 Commerce Road has been 6 Commerce Road since it was GIVEN to the town of Newtown with the stipulation that it be sold to support economic development. Your proposal to leave it as an open space for everyone does not support the mission of the property. It would need to grow the local economy, enhance prosperity and contribute to the town’s tax base. This could be done with a warehouse, distribution center, office buildings, residential housing shopping, restaurant, bars, coffee shops, Walmart etc.
Some opponents of the project in the P&Z recap just posted suggest that since open space is one of the things that draws folks to town to shop, eat, spend – keeping that parcel as undeveloped open space actually contributes to economic development.
Expanded and sustained spending by hundreds (if not thousands) of new renters on food, services and recreation is truly economic development. Getting dribs and drabs of property tax on empty land and spending by out-of-towners passing through does not offset the income to the area brought by the new Newtowners living in these boxes. Personally I think the project is hideous but I don’t have to see that. But what is going up on South Main is a different story.
This essay highlights the significance of maintaining historical and cultural landmarks for future generations. It is meant to act as a constant reminder that once these things are misplaced, there is no way to get them back. A compelling call to duty in the interest of safeguarding our history.
This lot is six (6) acres and I am unaware of any historical significance. It is surrounded by almost 350 acres of fields, flowers, and open space. I hope the state takes it back, as is their right, and puts in a transfer station. However, we all know that will not happen because the state got the better end of the deal when they sold us Asbestos Alley.
It highlights the irreversible impact of habitat loss on wildlife and the environment. This serves as a wake-up call, urging us to take responsible actions to protect and conserve our natural resources for future generations. The article’s message is both timely and crucial, serving as a call to action for environmental stewardship. Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking piece.