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What is your opinion on the proposed Towne Center at Shelter Ridge in Shelton?
- I'm in favor -- it sounds great
- Development is a good idea but this is too big
- I'm opposed to it 100%
- I need more information
The Planning and Zoning Commission is holding a public hearing Tuesday on changing the zoning for that area, according to a Facebook page set up called “Save Our Shelton.” A GoFundMe page is seeking to raise $20,000 to pay legal costs.
A post at Facebook calls for people to attend the meeting and sign up to speak.
"You can speak for as little as 10 seconds or a longer time. What's important in a democracy, is that your voice is heard, so please exercise your rights as a Shelton resident to voice your opinion. We need YOU there," the post said.
"If this plan goes through, Shelton will be changed forever. We'll lose our unique character and our quality of life. Look forward to 10 years of construction delays and a super highway Bridgeport Avenue. Planning & Zoning should understand that zones exist to protect the quality of life of citizens and should not be changed so that developers can benefit financially at the expense of residents. Tell P&Z to vote NO on this zone change."
The group has hired Keith Ainsworth of New Haven as its attorney. "He has set up a tiered strategy for our opposition to the zone change in front of Shelton P&Z depending on funding," a Facebook post says. "Rest assured, there are myriad huge problems with the Shelter Ridge proposal, particularly the run off and pollution to the Farmill River that are obvious."
The proposal for the $400 million Towne Center at Shelter Ridge calls for 5 million square feet of space on 121 acres in up to 19 buildings, which include a nine-story luxury apartment building, outlet stores, office space, restaurants and medical offices.
The high-rise nine-story 450-unit apartment tower complex would include an outdoor Olympic-sized pool and fire pits.
The group said the "very beautiful" land is currently heavily forested and undeveloped. "It is the last parcel of its size in Shelton to remain open," the GoFundMe post says.
The Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Shelton Intermediate School auditorium.
Click here to contribute to the GoFundMe to help pay legal costs in the battle over the development. Click here to visit the Facebook page for Save Our Shelton.
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