Zoning rule changes sought for senior housing plan

Brightview Senior Living has filed an application with the Planning and Zoning Commission for zoning regulation changes to permit a senior housing development on 6.9 acres on Danbury and Pimpewaug roads.

In a letter dated Sept. 3 from KimleyHorn of New York, P.C., planning and design engineering consultants, the housing is described as a mix of independent, assistedliving, and memory care units in a threestory building.

The site is zoned R2A. Wilton’s zoning regulations refer to independent living as “congregate housing.” This type of housing is permitted in all districts. Assistedliving is allowed in all districts except Wilton Center District. Both types of housing require special permit and site plan approval.

Because Brightview’s plan cannot satisfy current zoning regulations as pertaining to vehicular access, several changes have been proposed. The Planning and Zoning Commission accepted the application at its meeting on Sept. 9 but did not set a date for a public hearing.

The sticking point, according to the letter, is the planned preservation of the historic Gregory house, which KimleyHorn says limits the design of the site. Preserving it prevents direct vehicular access to and from Danbury Road.

The developer had sought to purchase a strip of land along Pimpewaug Road owned by the town, to solve its access problem, but abandoned that effort after its attorneys were unhappy with the result of a title search.

The proposed zoning amendments focus on location, density, maximum building height, and the number of affordable housing units.

As for location, the developer, identified as MNG Equities LLC, seeks to alter the current language for congregate housing that requires a minimum of 50 feet of frontage and direct access to Danbury, Westport or River roads.