Multifamily Rule Change Request Withdrawn

By Andrew Gorosko

A development firm that had proposed a zoning rule change that would have allowed up to 250 age-restricted multifamily dwellings to be built on certain sites has withdrawn that proposal from Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) consideration.

 P&Z members learned January 15 that Stephen Wippermann, the vice president and spokesman of KASL, LLC, earlier that day had withdrawn KASL’s zoning rule change application. The application had sought to change the zoning rules to increase from 150 units to 250 units the maximum number of dwellings allowed in EH-10 (Elderly Housing) complexes, provided that a development site is at least 100 acres. Age-restricted complexes are intended for people over age 55.

P&Z members had discussed the KASL application on January 8, and based on their negative comments on the request, appeared to be poised to reject the KASL application. P&Z members had said on January 8 that allowing up to 250 dwellings on a site would create housing complexes that are too large.

The P&Z had been scheduled to act on the KASL proposal on January 15, before it received a succinct letter dated that day from Mr Wippermann withdrawing the KASL application.

KASL’s rule change proposal drew stiff opposition from Route 302 area residents for a variety of reasons when it was aired at a P&Z public hearing last November 20.

Developers KASL, LLC, and IBF, LLC, wanted the P&Z to increase the maximum number of dwellings allowed in age-restricted housing complexes in connection with their proposal to residentially develop an approximately 180-acre wet, rugged site that they own in the vicinity of Route 302 and Scudder Road. The firms want to build approximately 200 dwellings there, according to Mr Wippermann.

Although KASL and IBF specifically want the zoning rule change to allow them to increase the potential development density of the Route 302/Scudder Road site, such a zoning rule change would apply to the entire town.

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 the site for age-restricted housing, KASL would need P&Z approval to change the property’s zoning designation from R-2 to EH-10 (Elderly Housing), plus “special exception” and “site development plan” approvals from the P&Z. The project also would need wetlands approval from the Conservation Commission, among various other approvals.

Based on the comments that were made by P&Z members at the January 8 session, Mr Wippermann said on January 13, that he expected the P&Z would reject KASL’s rule change proposal to allow up to 250 dwellings on a site.

Mr Wippermann maintains that multifamily EH-10 housing provides property tax advantages to the town, compared to conventional single-family housing. Mr Wippermann has said he will have surveyors again look at the KASL/IBF site in gauging its development potential.

Mr Wippermann has said he will return soon to the P&Z with another application toward developing the KASL/IBF site.