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Begin Again

I thank the Clinton Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) for its vote against the CVS and the Route 1/81 corner project. I wish more of the PZC members had voted to defeat the floating zone plunked down on this impossible site, but I am thrilled with the 5-4 vote win. At least five members listened to the 700 Clinton residents who signed the petition against tearing down so many of Clinton’s historic properties for the improbable CVS site, listened to the 100 plus who packed the Town Hall on July 5, and listened to the messages in the letters written against the project at that site.

Now the owners of those historic properties can begin again and use the valuable property for other purposes. It was stated that there are approximately 60-plus Clinton senior citizens on a waiting list for housing. Why couldn’t the three Route l/Main Street structures be turned over to either renting or selling to seniors, thus alleviating some of the need? And instead of spending all of the money on demolition, the dollars could be better spent updating and renovating these important structures. How perfect would it be for seniors to live right on the main thoroughfare within walking distance of banks, shops, etc. The town could improve the streetscape in that area with small trees and perhaps a lantern or two. One might even try for federal funding if the homes are slated for seniors.

CVS itself can again address the three side-by-side Route 1 properties that would more than accommodate the structure it hopes to build for its expansion.

Lynn Davis

Clinton