Don't bother with meaningless hearings in Greenwich: the battle is in Hartford
/
application drawing for 105-unit 8-30g project on dearfield drive: we soon look back on modest proposals like this with nostalgia
Whatever Greenwich residents have to say on the issue, it’s the Hartford Democrats who rule. Nonetheless, Greenwich Free Press offers a good summary of yesterday’s meeting; here are some excerpts from the article:
At Tuesday’s P&Z commission briefing in advance of Wednesday’s full meeting, there was discussion of the DeSegregate CT “Transit Oriented Communities” legislative proposal – the Work Live Ride Act (It has yet to be assigned a bill number.)
The legislative proposal will be presented to the commission on Wednesday at 4:00pm.
Why 60,000?
The commissioners on Tuesday found it curious that the proposal calls for 30 homes per acre in “Rapid Transit Communities” with populations over 60,000.
Greenwich’s population is roughly 62,000 and has been at that level for many years.
…. Bob Barolak questioned philosophy behind the proposal. Noting the 60,000 population threshold put Greenwich in the same category as Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven and Stamford – cities that Greenwich does not consider to be peers.
Mary Jenkins noted that in his presentation to North Stonington, Pete Harrison, director of Desegregate CT, had said there were 40 municipalities that fell within that 60,000+ category.
“It’s inconceivable that it’s 40,” Barolak said.
“We’re the 7th largest in the state,” Alban said. “It is an urban concept – the 30 per acre.”
She said the two lots near Greenwich train station with potential for development – the Island Beach Lot and the Horseneck lot – were built on landfill and both are in flood zones.
Beyond those two lots, most land around the train station is already built out.
“We’re looking at what would be a redevelopment opportunity otherwise. The model, in my mind, is based either for urban areas or for people like Wilton that don’t have a downtown.”
…. Alban said her understanding was that the idea was not to assume everyone would jump on the train to New York City. “Their model is to build a district that’s around transit as a concept,” Alban said.
Mr. Larow said a goal was likely to create a district where cars weren’t necessary. [emphasis added, because that’s exactly what this: a merger of the Global Warmists and “desegregationists” — same people, two different fronts — to demobilize the little people, and force them into more-easilly controlled urban boxes. FWIW ]
Infrastructure funding
….
Per the proposal, if a town does not opt-in and create a TOC, they would be ineligible for discretionary state funding tied to infrastructure – a “stick.”
…..
And where would we be without more CRT jobs for these activists?
Desegregate CT’s plan is to ask the state for funding for 4 full time land use planners for the Office of Responsible Growth, plus additional discretionary funding to oversee development plans.
….
Mr. Lowe said he was concerned the only option would be to redevelop existing an established neighborhood.
“From what I understand, you would say, this is the district, and then a developer can come down and tear down everything in the district and propose the 30-units per acre density,” Alban said. “This should not be as-of-right. It should be by special permit.”
….
“Why 60,000?” Barolak asked, noting the only way to achieve the target is to build vertically. “I’m not sure that because we have a train station that we should be compelled to build high rises.”
Mr. Lowe wondered if Desegregate CT had come to the 60,000 number by working backwards to create legislation aimed at Greenwich. [He’s got that right: “Target Greenwich”. — FWIW]
“One of the issues is we don’t see ourselves as a city, and we don’t want to be one,” Alban said.
…..
Alban said at least this time around Desegregate was seeking input.
“It’s a distinction without a difference,” Levy said.
Yes, it is.
Mind you, even as we fight this in Hartford, Biden’s handlers and our Congressional overlords have already slipped something worse into the multi-trillion-dollar COVID Panic bill whooped through in 2021. Writing in 2020, Betsy McCaughey warned of what was coming: Joe Biden’s disastrous plans for America’s suburbs. If you’re looking for a depressing read this morning, check it out.
