Printer Friendly Version - RTM Branford Hills School Committee to Consider Parkside Village Expansion

This rendering, shared by Branford Housing Authority and developer Beacon Communities on April 5, shows how a three-story, 79-unit Parkside Village complex could fit in at the former Branford Hills School site. Future plans to also expand Parkside Village Two with a similar building would likely incorporate land currently occupied by the former elementary school's softball field (right).Pam Johnson/The Sound

Following an informational meeting and think-tank session on April 5, in which Branford Housing Authority (BHA) and developer Beacon Communities (MA) discussed with some town leaders the potential for expanding Parkside Village affordable housing with new construction at the former Branford Hill School lot, the matter will receive further consideration during a special meeting of the Branford Hills Property Usage Committee of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).

On Wednesday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at Branford Fire Headquarters (45 North Main St.), the committee will hold a meeting to consider a request from BHA to use the former Branford Hills School site for the building of a replacement for Parkside Village I housing, currently located at 115 South Montowese St. BHA also intends to someday expand and improve Parkside Village Two, located around the corner from Parkside Village on Block Island Road; either by expanding in place or on land at the former Branford Hills School site, if usage is allowed by the town. On April 26, the committee will hear presentations from BHA and Beacon, comments from Branford First Selectman James B. Cosgrove, and will also take public input.

As previously reported, because the former Branford Hills School property is town-owned, the RTM would have to okay the site's land use, followed by zoning and other permit applications to be made by BHA to receive required site plan application approval. On April 5, BHA and developer Beacon Communities (MA) presented an idea for developing the former Branford Hills School site with a three-story, 79 unit complex which incorporates affordable general occupancy (adding families beyond senior and disabled residents) in order for the project to receive federal/state funding. See the story here

If it is ultimately determined the former Branford Hills School site is not suited for the project, BHA and Beacon intend move forward with expansion at the current property at 115 South Montowese, owned by BHA. The expansion would incorporate some design changes to accommodate objections to an earlier application for expansion at the site, which BHA withdrew from consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission in October of 2016.

The 2016 proposal was to re-develop Parkside Village's 42 year-old, three building, 50-unit complex into a single, 75-unit building topping three stories. The application also sought to change Parkside's low-income elderly and handicapped affordable resident mix to include some higher income families meeting state standards for affordable housing. A public hearing in September 2016 drew members of an organized group of area residents opposed to the plan, who spoke out and submitted a petition against approving the application due its scale and scope. Other audience members raised questions about diminishing property values created by the proximity of the affordable housing complex, as well as safety issues and crime incident problems connected to bringing more low-income residents to the area.

Whether the site selected for the Parkside Village expansion is the former Branford Hills School or South Montowese Street, the goal of the BHA is to have its plans in place so that applications can be made to the state for funding by November 2018.