New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Cheshire OKs mixed-income development
CHESHIRE — The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a proposal for development at its Jan. 8 meeting that will include several units of affordable “assisted housing” for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The project, led by Metro Realty Management Corporation on behalf of the Arc of Southington, calls for 71 units, 18 of which will be designated as supportive housing operated by Arc. Fifty-six units will be deed-restricted affordable, while the rest will be market rate.
The entire development will count toward Cheshire’s goal of 10 percent affordable housing set by state law, including the 20 percent of units that are market rate. The town currently has under four percent. Though commissioners were supportive of the development and ultimately approved the project, they had expressed concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety throughout the approval process. The property is located next to a business at 1718 Highland Ave. and across from Viron Rondo Osteria restaurant along busy Route 10.
Tom Daly, an engineer with SLR Consulting, said an initial version of the site plan included a full-access driveway onto Route 10 and an emergency-only driveway to the north of the property, which a third-party traffic engineer said was appropriate while also recommending a right-turn-only exit. According to Daly, the Cheshire Fire Department said making the driveway exit-only would take away their emergency access so as a co mpromise, the developers agreed to an island so cars are only allowed to go right.
Commissioner Matthew Bowman admitted that he was concerned about the safety of vehicles coming in and going out, and that he would have preferred to see a right-turn lane, but the absence of one in the plan wasn’t enough for him to vote ‘No.’ He said he supports the Fire Department in general, but it bothers him that they would make a co mment and then not appear in front of the commission to field questions.
“I just want it for the record that if anybody is ever hurt in this area, it is all on the Fire Department. It is not on us,” Bowman said.
Town Planner Michael Glidden recommended two additional conditions, which were adopted in the final approval.
One condition is that sidewalks be installed offsite along the eastern side of Route 10 with a crosswalk south of the site.
The other condition is that for the issuance of a building permit, the applicants must submit copies of the state Department of Transportation encroachment permit to planning department staff.
During the public hearing portion of the meeting, the third held for this application, two households spoke in support of the project for making Cheshire more inclusive.
Donna and Brent Bouteiller said it’s their son’s dream to be even more independent, and they have visited other Metro properties.
“During this hearing process, I’ve expressed my sincere desire with support along with other families to demonstrate the need for my son, Brent, and other developmentally disabled adults to have an independent living community built in our town,” Donna Bouteiller said.
Valerie Strange, a clinical associate professor of occupational therapy at Quinnipiac University and board member for Best Buddies, said that engaging these adults in community life will strengthen the social fabric of the town.
“Promoting inclusivity through community integration, beyond caregivers, breaks down stigma and stereotypes, promotes a sense of belonging, truly mainstreaming diverse groups that this proposal supports, and ultimately showcases Cheshire as a welcoming and diverse environment that values and supports all of its residents,” she said.