Hearing Set On New Limits For Condos

By Andrew Gorosko

A public hearing is scheduled for next week on a developer’s proposal to increase the limit on the number of dwellings in new age-restricted, multifamily housing complexes from 150 units to 250 units. The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) hearing is slated for 7:30 pm, Thursday, November 20, at Canaan House at Fairfield Hills.

A development firm that wants to build an elderly housing condominium complex on a 175-acre tract lying north and west of Route 302 is seeking P&Z approval for the zoning rule changes that would increase the potential number of dwellings on its site from the current limit of 150 units to 250 units. 

Developer KASL, LLC, is seeking to have the P&Z revise its EH-10 (Elderly Housing) zoning regulations. A limit of 250 units would apply to properties larger than 100 acres. Properties smaller than 100 acres would still be limited to a maximum of 150 units, under KASL’s zoning rule change proposal.

The site eyed for development currently has R-2 (Residential) zoning, which is designated for single-family housing on lots of at least two acres. In order to develop its steep, wet, rugged 175-acre site for high-density, age-restricted multifamily housing, KASL would need P&Z approval to change the zoning designation for that property from R-2 to EH-10.

Stephen Wippermann, who is the vice president of KASL and its spokesman, could not be reached for comment. Mr Wippermann has met with town land use officials in the past to discuss the prospects for developing the 175-acre parcel.

Last April, Mr Wippermann, representing KASL, LLC, and IBF, LLC, met with several dozen property owners who live near the development site to discuss their concerns about the project. Last April, when discussing the development firms’ projected construction for the site, Mr Wippermann had spoken in terms of 200 condos, not 250 condos.

The two limited liability corporations have not yet submitted development plans for town review of the envisioned complex. Such a venture would be the largest local residential development project in years.

The property proposed for condominium development is bounded on the north by Scudder Road, and on the south by Route 302. Access to the site would be provided from Scudder Road and from Route 302. A Route 302 driveway to the site would be located somewhere along the north side of Route 302, at some point lying west of Route 302’s intersection with Key Rock Road.

An emergency access way to the site would connect to the western developed section of Robin Hill Road, off Rock Ridge Road. The eastern developed section of Robin Hill Road would not be used for access. The interior section of Robin Hill Road, which links that road’s two developed sections, is now simply a trail through the woods.

The proposed condo complex would be served by large-scale community septic systems. There is no sanitary sewer service or public water service in that area. The site is in the town’s sewer-avoidance area. Most multifamily complexes are served by sanitary sewers.

To build the envisioned complex, the developer would require wetland approvals from the Conservation Commission, as well as a “special exception” and “site development plan” approvals from the P&Z. Such elaborate projects typically take many years of planning and construction before completion.