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11/16/2017 05:25 PMFollowing the third part of a public hearing for the proposed Parkside Village I redevelopment and expansion, the hearing has been held open and will continue for what is likely to be its final part on Thurs., Dec. 7, 7 p.m. at Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 North Main St.
The Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) hearing opened Oct. 19 and has drawn a crowd of those in favor and opposed to the project. At the hearing's third part on Nov. 16, applicant Branford Housing Authority (BHA) and developer Beacon Communities (Boston, MA) offered the PZC a time extension to continue the hearing to Dec. 7; as the regular 35-day window for the hearing was set to expire, said Branford Town Planner Harry Smith.
"We're in public hearing overtime," Smith told Zip06/The Sound, adding it's likely the Dec. 7 date will be the final night of the hearing.
The hearing extension was needed due to additional materials and information supplied to the PZC for review from both the applicant and members of the public, said Smith. The Nov. 16 part of the hearing included discussion from both sides regarding the safety of senior residents living in a mix-aged affordable housing complex, he added.
Because the application seeks to create a new Assisted Housing District guided by state statute 8-30g instead of Branford's more stringent zoning regulations, the PZC can only deny the application based on finding substantial public health or public safety concerns.
As previously reported, BHS and Beacon seek to change zoning to replace and expand Parkside Village I's 50 affordable housing units, currently restricted to seniors and disabled adults, at 115 South Montowese St. The property would be redesignated as the Parkside Assisted Housing District to allow for multi-family use with no age restrictions. BHA and Beacon are applying to the federal low-income housing tax credit program and the redeveloped Parkside I would be income-restricted by the state for 40 years. Plans call for constructing 67 units, with 60 designated for use by families meeting state low-income guidelines. Beacon is proposing knocking down the current three-building complex in phases, to be replaced by a three-story building of 33 one-bedroom and 34 two-bedroom units. Current Parkside Village I residents would be re-homed at the new development, according to BHA and Beacon. Parkside I is over 40 years old and in disrepair.
The proposed redevelopment continues to draw strong opposition from a grassroots citizens' group. In recent weeks, lawn signs and mailings to area residents have carried the message to, "Stop Massive Redevelopment of Parkside Village." The signs and mailings also reference a Facebook group page, Branford Leaks.
BHA and Beacon encourage the public to learn more about the project at http://courb.co/parkside