Stop it or stack it
Thanks to Cindy over at the Underground Town Hall, I found the current proposed site plan for the ND online:
I also learned late today that there was another PZC hearing on the ND tonight... I would've mentioned it, but I didn't know about it.
Anyway, I wanted to speak tonight, but didn't stay until the end of the meeting. Nonetheless, I was fortunate to bump into W/S' Lou Massiello just prior to the meeting (I was there early for the Energy Commission) and had a chance to share my thoughts with him.
My main concern is fairly simple... "stop it or stack it." I said that if the residential happens, it should go above the retail. And that I just don't see the need to develop west of the river.
My feeling is the same as it was back in January... while I don't see any need for the residential (nor do most people with whom I've spoken... most people seem to scratch their head... as if to say "why have residential?" or simply oppose the residential), if it happens, I think the residential (and now the hotel) should be above the retail... and everything west of the river should be moved east of the river... leaving everything west of the river intact... there's no need for any development there... although I think fixing the culvert and providing access to cross the river makes sense... I think walking trails could be really nice.
And all I've been hearing about this from the outset was that "we" (the town) write the rules however we want... so why not be environmentally-friendly and protect half the land for the current residents? (Although in fairness to W/S, while their goal is to make money... they do seem to be receptive to hearing environmental concerns. Regardless though... that's really the responsibility of PZC now.)
Tim White
10 comments:
I hope Cindy runs for town council...
Westfield filed a motion or something regarding the environment at the end. Attorney Fazzone made sure that everyone knows that Westfield doesn't own property in Cheshire. Interesting neither does W/S or the new LLC they formed.
This is a must project. Anyone that has seen the condition of the field has seen how much use they get and the fact that they need to be upgraded. Turf is the only way to go in the northeast.
Stop IT.
We need something there, but not with residential. Shops are good, but a sportsplex would make sense.
The majority of residents that I have spoken to do not support the residential. As it happens some are just becoming aware of the residential (too late).
We lost our poet to be replaced by the athletic supporters for the turf. To read these postings you would think the only issue facing this town is the turf field. What a waste!
In Houston they built a huge dome
no matter how they tried grass would not make a home
Texans aren't smurfs
out of a stetson jumped astroturf
where the outfielders could now roam
I think that it has become evident that most people do not support the residential aspect of the development.
I am a strong supporter of the retail/hotel development. The Town of Cheshire has dropped the ball in trying to market/develop this area for anything but retail (500 Blake Street North). All that is left is retail.
Realistically, I see little impact on the traffic, as most out of town shoppers would be coming via interstate. Even people from further south than Hamden would probably use the interstate if they know how congested south Cheshire is. I have been through Westbrook/Clinton during peak shopping periods and the surface streets do not seem to be suffering an overflow of traffic.
The town has the opportunity to "use" the developer to have this property developed in a manner that would best benefit the Town. Add restrictions and components that fit our community, if W/S dosent like them, another developer will.
Lastly, the turtle issue....... where were all the nature conservation experts for studies before this project was proposed. I am for nature, but this is a reach.
Based on reported numbers in the papers the Town will see a tax revenue increase of 2 to 2.6 mil dollars with a cost to the Town of 500-600k yearly. That means on the high side the Town will receive 2.6 mil in taxes and 600k in expenses for a net tax revenue of 2 mil. The current annual salary increase for the teachers is 1,500,000. In a nut shell the first year tax windfall from this development will give the Town an extra $500,000k. Not a big deal when you compare it to the total Town budget.
"Realistically, I see little impact on the traffic, as most out of town shoppers would be coming via interstate"
If they came by interstate, they would probably go The Brass Mill Mall or to the Meriden Mall. W/S's development has little to offer. Most of the traffic will come up Peck, Highland and Cheshire Street.
As you can see the town is getting Peck Lane ready for the added traffic.
Maybe you should have made your voice heard before they changed the Town Plan and Zone. Don't complain about others if you didn't step up.
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