A Leap Forward For Sandy Hook

To the Editor:

On September 7 the P&Z Commission narrowly rejected a commercial rezoning application for a quiet residential neighborhood of Sandy Hook. With heavy sighs of relief the residents and homeowners viewed this decision not as “a step backward for Sandy Hook,” but as a leap forward for the protection and preservation of our historic neighborhood, our wetlands, our aquifer, our property values, and quality of life.

The subject property has now been rejected twice for a zoning change. This second request now denied, the residents should no longer have to fight this battle. A precedent has been set.

The show of opposition in July was also followed by additional letters to the P&Z Commission, which, we have learned, remain sealed and were not available for consideration towards the final decision. A letter in support of this proposal from First Selectman Herb Rosenthal was not presented at the July P&Z meeting yet still was acknowledged by the P&Z committee. Why was this letter more important than that of the residents of Sandy Hook? Mr Rosenthal’s letter should have remained sealed along with the others.

Certain P&Z members were absent at the July meeting yet voted for this proposal. They did not see and hear the passion this neighborhood has; they did not see the fear in our eyes of our neighborhood being turned into a strip mall. Yet they voted for this proposal.

This proposal was not about public water for Sandy Hook Elementary School. This proposal was about creating a “bonanza” for the applicant. This proposal has been rightfully denied and public water is still coming to Sandy Hook Elementary School.

This entire effort has brought our neighborhood closer together. We’ve created new friendships and have developed a strong commitment of involvement and pride in our neighborhood community. We need now to designate and create a historic district in Sandy Hook to preserve the neighborhood that has existed since the 1700s.

Newtown’s growth and development are on a blistering pace. Without proper planning and strict adherence to current zoning laws, we will all be living in a town plagued with problems we cannot correct but only learn to conform to them.

Our sincerest thanks to P&Z members who listened to our pleas and voted against this proposal.

Richard E. Spillane

15 Washington Avenue, Sandy Hook                September 20, 2000