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SONO SOUTH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
ACTIONS
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| Click Here for Minutes from July 15 2004 Meeting | Click Here for Minutes from August 12 2004 Meeting |
DRAFT SUMMARY: DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE #3 – AUGUST 31, 2004
Providing affordable housing opportunities, which historically were more available in the neighborhood, was chief among the concerns of a few committee members. Others expressed interest in how decisions about individual residential projects would be decided or influenced, particularly regarding affordability and ownership components.
The group discussed feasibility and merit of the ideas for either expanding NEON’s existing facility to include a community center for youth, or alternatively for moving some NEON services to another neighborhood location in order to free up space in the current building for youth activities. These were viewed as interesting possibilities worthy of further exploration. Finding new recreational uses was also mentioned as an important consideration; one committee member felt that a swimming pool would be a much-used addition to South Norwalk. Taking up a portion of Ryan Park for a built facility was mentioned as requiring careful further examination as well, since space in the park is at a premium.
One committee member offered a caution that in planning processes like this, it is impossible to please every party completely, and that individual proposals, by their nature, will tend to benefit some stakeholders more than others.
There was a question about whether it was proposed that the existing exit point for buses from the train station onto Henry Street be retained; at this point, this exit is retained under the alternative being explored by the consultant team.
Some participants expressed appreciation that comments from the previous public gathering were reflected in the presentation by the consultant team. The opinion was expressed that the most pressing issues were ones of scale, height, parking, and ensuring that regulations governing these issues are respected. There were multiple expressions of interest in more home-ownership and affordable housing in this area. The consultant stated an awareness of the interest in these issues, and that this process is in part looking at opportunities for housing in the area. The proposals of private landowners can be examined in review processes and questions around affordability can be addressed more closely at that time. Walter Briggs, Chairman of the South Norwalk Planning Development Committee stated that we will work to ensure the proper controls are in place in this area so that as a city we are ahead of the curve, and when proposals are made we are best prepared to achieve these goals.
The presentation given by Chan Krieger & Associates will be posted on the
City’s website. Hard copies of materials can be obtained by contacted Alanna
Kabel at 203-854-7948.
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