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NEW CANAAN, Conn. Commuters who use the Lumberyard parking lot are expected to speak out at a Town Council hearing Tuesday night on a plan to consider building senior housing there.
The council will give residents and commuters a chance to talk during a public hearing set for 7 p.m. at Town Hall. At issue is whether the town should proceed with an application for a Transit-Oriented Development grant from the state Office of Policy and Management.
Town planners want to examine the feasibility of adding decked parking and senior housing at the site. Town Planner Steven Kleppin said recently that the grant would help the town explore what the site could be used for.
But several commuters and residents say senior housing should not be built downtown and that the project would increase traffic congestion in the area. Several residents formed the group Citizens to Preserve our Village Character to oppose the grant, fearing it may ignite a controversy similar to what the town went through when Avalon wanted to build at the lot several years ago.
Town Council Chairman Mark DeWaele said although the meeting to decide on the application is set for 7:30 p.m., the public hearing will remain open to hear residents comments.
Its just a placeholder, DeWaele said of the 7:30 p.m. timeslot. Everyone will have a chance to speak night. We are not going to stifle debate or input.
DeWaele expects plenty of public input, after which he expects the council to vote on the application. The more public input we have, the more informed a decision we will be able to make, he said.
To reach Melvin Mason, email mmason@thedailynewcanaan.com.
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