As a Ridgefield resident you should be very concerned that a 19 unit housing application has been submitted for a site of less than one acre on 9 and 7 North Salem Road.

By assigning 6 of the 19 (30%) units as affordable housing, this application avoids many of the usual zoning regulations.

The 19 units will be in three main buildings.  The first is the current 9 North Salem road.  7 North Salem Road  will be leveled.   New Buildings 2 and 3 will both be approximately 85 feet long and 2 1/2 stories high. Plans include parking for 38 cars, yards from the junction of the 116 and 35.

The scale and nature of this development are completely out of character with this residential Ridgefield neighborhood, where the majority of the houses are over 100 years old.

Since this application has been submitted under the 8-30 g affordable housing regulation, residents must prove that any detriment to the public health, safety, or welfare clearly outweighs the need for affordable housing.

There are numerous concerns including drainage, traffic volume and noise.

We are not opposed to affordable housing.  We are opposed to 19 units being built on less than an acre, extremely close to neighboring residential property lines (8-30g negates the need for setbacks) without the development having to abide by normal zoning laws.

There are  countless in-town sites which could be developed in the same way.  There is no doubt this is the thin edge of the wedge and will absolutely change the landscape of our beautiful, historic town.

Please pledge your support by signing and distributing this petition.  The first public hearing is on Tuesday June 7th.

Links