Who Should Bear The Burden

For Whose Growth?

To the Editor:

In her letter of February 10, “Sharing the Burden of Growth” [Letter Hive, 2/13/09], Sharon Cohen summarizes remarks made by Robert Hall and Joseph Borst at the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) public hearing of February 5, urging that Split Rock Road be converted from a cul-de-sac to a through-road.

Although Mr Hall represented himself in his remarks merely as the author, in his former capacity as town attorney, of several provisions in the town code which he went on to interpret to the P&Z, he omitted to mention that he represented the Liscinsky Family Joint Venture in its application for a subdivision on Split Rock Road. In fact, the Liscinsky subdivision could potentially be larger if Split Rock were not a cul-de-sac.

It is likewise cause for concern that First Selectman Borst found it consistent with his prerogatives to intervene in this public process. Although Mr Borst was unable to represent the entire Board of Selectmen in delivering his opinion, he used the authority of his office to influence the P&Z.

All 12 families who actually reside on Split Rock Road want it to remain a cul-de-sac, for the reasons of safety, quality of life, and preservation of property value that we have detailed in our petition to the P&Z and our remarks in public hearings. We are also concerned for the general safety of our neighbors and friends on Eden Hill Road. We have reviewed the expert opinions submitted by the applicant demonstrating that the traffic impact on Eden Hill residents will be negligible. In contrast, the traffic impact on the residents of Split Rock if the cul-de-sac were removed would be far greater. 

All Newtown families should be worried when the common interest of 12 families whose lives and security will be most directly affected by the P&Z decision is in danger of being trumped by the political clout of two individuals leveraging their past and present positions to pressure the P&Z into making a decision that would potentially benefit just one nonresident family, whose subdivision buildout options are presently constrained by the limit on the number of houses that may be built on a cul-de-sac.

Sincerely,

Robert Hutchinson

8 Split Rock Road, Newtown                                   February 14, 2009