As Ridgefield residents, we ask the Ridgefield Planning and Zoning Commission to deny the proposed 8-30g application at the Turner Road/Barnum Place location.
This application does not satisfy the critical requirements and intended purpose of an affordable housing development and will have a significant negative impact on the safety of the neighboring homeowners and their families. In addition, the site plan does
not fit into the character of the community, which includes town open space, single-family homes, and a community swimming pool. See below for additional detail regarding location, safety, and conservation concerns.
Location Issues:
This area has not been highlighted in the town POCD for potential housing focus areas suitable for 8-30g residences.
The property is currently zoned as CDD (commercial), and the PZC has previously objected to it being changed to RAA (residential).
The location is far from public transport, requiring reliance on cars, making it less viable for older residents and those relying on public transportation to commute to work, shop, and attend medical appointments.
The lot size of 1.17 acres is too small for nine townhomes, creating an excessive intensity of use. Also, the application proposes outdoor parking spaces that exceed the residential zone regulations. The zoning laws should not be changed to suit the application.
Safety Issues:
Turner Road’s width from its intersection with Barnum Place along the proposed site is too narrow for emergency vehicles, including fire trucks.
Increased traffic in the Turner Hill neighborhood, where 70 children ride bicycles, scooters, strollers, and run throughout the neighborhood daily, will cause an elevated safety risk should this application be approved.
The units proposed are multi-story and unsuitable for the aging
population or people with disabilities.
Conservation Issues:
The proposed units directly border Ridgebury Farms Trail, 94 acres of significant protected town open space (including fragile wetlands), and is home to many species, including large tortoises, which the neighbors actively collaborate to protect. An additional multi-family development will increase the chances of contamination in this precious conservation area.
We are dedicated to preserving the safety, aesthetics, and environment of the neighborhood in which we purchased our homes. We ask that you procure the necessary reports and studies to ensure that any housing development application before the Planning and Zoning Commission shall meet environmental protection and community safety standards, as well as be in full compliance with Ridgefield's Plan of Conservation and Development.
Links:
Affordable housing building proposed at Ridgebury site
Ridgebury affordable project, North Salem Road subdivision head to Jan. 14 public hearings
Updates
January 13, 2020
I am currently drafting a formal response to the Planning and Zoning Commission to address the specific inaccuracies regarding the site accessibility and traffic safety data. We are working to ensure these technical arguments are submitted before the next public hearing session.
January 13, 2020
The volume of support gathered indicates clear town consensus on the Turner Road application. I have requested a formal meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission to present these concerns directly during the next review phase.
Reached 100 supporters
January 13, 2020
43 Comments
This lot is in no way conducive to supporting 9 units or townhouses of any sort. Safety and environmental impact to existing open space is my largest concerns.
8-30g is being abused to move high density housing into non-high density zoned areas. That is not the intention of the regulation, and I've yet to see the Town's 8-30j plan for affordable housing. TThis application should be denied.
I could not agree more with the rationale offered in this petition. I have friends in this neighborhood and we visit this area regularly. Barnum Place is currently a dead-one. It is barely wide enough for one car, let alone the wider emergency vehicles.
This projected development is a terrible idea. Wedged between an established community, a large factory and wetlands I just can't understand how this is even being contemplated-there is simply not enough space for this to be safe!
Suggestion made when 33Turner Rd was on the market and this parcel was included in that sale. Turner Hill Association pool their money to purchase this land and donate back to the Town open space... I still think this is a good idea but maybe too costly to do now.
This is unacceptable
This makes absolutely no sense and unfair to the people already living their.
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As Ridgefield residents, we ask the Ridgefield Planning and Zoning Commission to deny the proposed 8-30g application at the Turner Road/Barnum Place location.
This application does not satisfy the critical requirements and intended purpose of an affordable housing development and will have a significant negative impact on the safety of the neighboring homeowners and their families. In addition, the site plan does
not fit into the character of the community, which includes town open space, single-family homes, and a community swimming pool. See below for additional detail regarding location, safety, and conservation concerns.
Location Issues:
This area has not been highlighted in the town POCD for potential housing focus areas suitable for 8-30g residences.
The property is currently zoned as CDD (commercial), and the PZC has previously objected to it being changed to RAA (residential).
The location is far from public transport, requiring reliance on cars, making it less viable for older residents and those relying on public transportation to commute to work, shop, and attend medical appointments.
The lot size of 1.17 acres is too small for nine townhomes, creating an excessive intensity of use. Also, the application proposes outdoor parking spaces that exceed the residential zone regulations. The zoning laws should not be changed to suit the application.
Safety Issues:
Turner Road’s width from its intersection with Barnum Place along the proposed site is too narrow for emergency vehicles, including fire trucks.
Increased traffic in the Turner Hill neighborhood, where 70 children ride bicycles, scooters, strollers, and run throughout the neighborhood daily, will cause an elevated safety risk should this application be approved.
The units proposed are multi-story and unsuitable for the aging
population or people with disabilities.
Conservation Issues:
The proposed units directly border Ridgebury Farms Trail, 94 acres of significant protected town open space (including fragile wetlands), and is home to many species, including large tortoises, which the neighbors actively collaborate to protect. An additional multi-family development will increase the chances of contamination in this precious conservation area.
We are dedicated to preserving the safety, aesthetics, and environment of the neighborhood in which we purchased our homes. We ask that you procure the necessary reports and studies to ensure that any housing development application before the Planning and Zoning Commission shall meet environmental protection and community safety standards, as well as be in full compliance with Ridgefield's Plan of Conservation and Development.
Links:
Affordable housing building proposed at Ridgebury site
Ridgebury affordable project, North Salem Road subdivision head to Jan. 14 public hearings
Updates
January 13, 2020
I am currently drafting a formal response to the Planning and Zoning Commission to address the specific inaccuracies regarding the site accessibility and traffic safety data. We are working to ensure these technical arguments are submitted before the next public hearing session.
January 13, 2020
The volume of support gathered indicates clear town consensus on the Turner Road application. I have requested a formal meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission to present these concerns directly during the next review phase.
Reached 100 supporters
January 13, 2020
43 Comments
This proposed project is surrounded by new multi family, including multi story developments extending from Ridgefield into Danbury... The bordering open space, including wetlands cannot withstand more pressures. Likewise, the absence of ADA adherence and foresight regarding current levels of traffic congestion, evidence another ill conceived, rushed development.
This lot is in no way conducive to supporting 9 units or townhouses of any sort. Safety and environmental impact to existing open space is my largest concerns.
8-30g is being abused to move high density housing into non-high density zoned areas. That is not the intention of the regulation, and I've yet to see the Town's 8-30j plan for affordable housing. TThis application should be denied.
I could not agree more with the rationale offered in this petition. I have friends in this neighborhood and we visit this area regularly. Barnum Place is currently a dead-one. It is barely wide enough for one car, let alone the wider emergency vehicles.
This projected development is a terrible idea. Wedged between an established community, a large factory and wetlands I just can't understand how this is even being contemplated-there is simply not enough space for this to be safe!
Suggestion made when 33Turner Rd was on the market and this parcel was included in that sale. Turner Hill Association pool their money to purchase this land and donate back to the Town open space... I still think this is a good idea but maybe too costly to do now.
This is unacceptable
This makes absolutely no sense and unfair to the people already living their.
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This proposed project is surrounded by new multi family, including multi story developments extending from Ridgefield into Danbury... The bordering open space, including wetlands cannot withstand more pressures. Likewise, the absence of ADA adherence and foresight regarding current levels of traffic congestion, evidence another ill conceived, rushed development.