[norcal2k19]

Tweed deal wins unanimous approval by the NH Board of Alders (typically a pretty fractious group of folks) .

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/...ry/tweed_deal/


The 55 year Union Station deal with the state is coming along - should be finalized in the near future.

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/..._station_deal/

[ProudFairfielder]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The state needs to keep its nose out of local matters, most prominently zoning. The town’s are best to judge what is best in their community, not the state and its one size fits all approach to planning.

Just look at the crap getting built because of 8-30g. If ever there is a law that will destroy our state’s character, it’s that one and it has to be stopped. It overrides local design standards so we are going to have high density housing in the middle of low density areas.

Just look at Fairfield and the dozen or more recent projects that are being crammed in there. Like the two six story buildings that will tower over the Merritt Parkway or the hideous eyesores filling entire lots in the Center. Or the high density development on High Street These monstrosities are being crammed in wherever developers want and it threatens to destroy the town. It’s disgusting.

The state needs to count privately owned, non-government sponsored affordable units. Fairfield has many of these in Tunxis Hill, Melville Village, Knapp’s Village and Kings Highway but they don’t count. This law penalizes a town that has long encouraged privately owned affordable housing. Then let the town’s decide where affordable housing should go. If they are not careful this will be the downfall of the Democrats and their overly liberal agenda in Connecticut. Jay

Couldn't have said it better.

[Stylo]

Another new brewery brewing:
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/...rmada_brewing/

More apartments on Crown St:
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/...st_apartments/

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The state needs to keep its nose out of local matters, most prominently zoning. The town’s are best to judge what is best in their community, not the state and its one size fits all approach to planning.

Just look at the crap getting built because of 8-30g. If ever there is a law that will destroy our state’s character, it’s that one and it has to be stopped. It overrides local design standards so we are going to have high density housing in the middle of low density areas.

Just look at Fairfield and the dozen or more recent projects that are being crammed in there. Like the two six story buildings that will tower over the Merritt Parkway or the hideous eyesores filling entire lots in the Center. Or the high density development on High Street These monstrosities are being crammed in wherever developers want and it threatens to destroy the town. It’s disgusting.

The state needs to count privately owned, non-government sponsored affordable units. Fairfield has many of these in Tunxis Hill, Melville Village, Knapp’s Village and Kings Highway but they don’t count. This law penalizes a town that has long encouraged privately owned affordable housing. Then let the town’s decide where affordable housing should go. If they are not careful this will be the downfall of the Democrats and their overly liberal agenda in Connecticut. Jay

Well said. I just hope people are paying attention to what’s happening.

[Stepfordct]

One city I'm working with is encouraging me to apply for the 8-30g to get around a variance issue to convert office space into apts. It would make it easier for me and not really impact greatly the income generated...
However it's a mixed use building with retail. There is a 40 yr deal that I must honor the low income housing for.
So if someone wants to buy the building from me think they are stuck with the use.....
Deal breaker for me...
The P & Z is really pushing for me to do it ......

[Stylo]

Another one:


https://www.newhavenindependent.org/...on_bza_update/

[CTREInvestor]

Originally Posted by ProudFairfielder

Couldn't have said it better.

It's unfortunate that some are advocating a public policy that quite conclusively is a leading cause of wealth inequality, disparate educational opportunities as the lower-income cohorts increasingly are ghettoized in our growing cities, and a huge waste of state and federal investment in our infrastructure.

Let wealthy municipalities maintain their one dwelling unit per acre zoning next to heavy rail stations. Impose a state property tax, and simply appraise all residentially zoned land within one mile of a heavy rail station assuming the land can be improved with twenty dwelling units per acre and an FAR of 2.0 to 2.5. Impose an additional surcharge tax just for the fun of it.

You want to hoard access to public investment? Pay for it.

Metro-North should also reverse the pricing of train fare based on proximity to New York City. Metro-North as it is must be one of the most egregious regressive taxes around. If this cannot be achieved, a flat fare like the New York City Subway is a decent compromise. Given the state of Metro-North currently, a progressive tax doubling or tripling the train fare for lower Fairfield County would significantly improve the system.

I think it goes without saying that abolishing of county government was clearly in reaction to Brown vs Board of Education. Taxation and funding of schools should be the responsibility of the state legislature so that a measure of equality of funding can be ensured.

Fairfield County is a black mark on not just Connecticut but the United States. Nowhere in the country do people live in such abject poverty mere miles from among the wealthiest in the world.

The ruling sovereignty owes to its citizens the right to a respectable and decent life. If it cannot provide that, it might as well burn to the ground. There are many more powder kegs in Connecticut than anyone cares to admit. It is almost as if every action of our state legislature is an attempt to delay by a thousand subterfuges the moment with the guillotines are rolled out.

It's a day's march from Bridgeport to Westport, torches remaining lit the whole way. And there is nothing any power can do to stop it. So many of our cities have become bastions of hopelessness, despair, and sheer boredom - torching a town of decadent parasites that subsist on economic rent (and that's what the wealthy of Fairfield County are) is a welcome respite and distraction. This is an absurd time to believe Let Them Eat Cake will do anything other than a bloodbath. Ignore the proletariat at your peril.

[CTREInvestor]

Originally Posted by Stepfordct

One city I'm working with is encouraging me to apply for the 8-30g to get around a variance issue to convert office space into apts. It would make it easier for me and not really impact greatly the income generated...
However it's a mixed use building with retail. There is a 40 yr deal that I must honor the low income housing for.
So if someone wants to buy the building from me think they are stuck with the use.....
Deal breaker for me...
The P & Z is really pushing for me to do it ......

Not only can you make a very good return on 8-30g variances, you can do so ethically. There is enormous pent-up demand and the law has barely been used. It is absurd that a "town" of some 60,000 like Fairfield, which has barely changed in population since 1970, has three heavy railroad stations - one of which is brand new - and a tiny number of dwelling units in walking distance as a percentage of the overall total.

It's been nearly a decade since the Fairfield Metro Station was opened at a cost of probably $100 million, and there are maybe 300 newer apartments in the midst of a largely industrially zoned area.

If your first thought is a long-term affordable housing requirement is a deal breaker, you are not considering a complex capital stack of low-income housing tax credits, subsidized financing, tax abatements and exemptions (Avalon Bay got a 100% exemption for their 80/20 project in Darien).

Affordable housing is an attractive, low-risk investment that if done properly is as safe as a treasury bond with an equity yield that exceeds any stock index.

Pay your people well, provide a quality product the community, gain a reputation for a commitment to ethical ideals and you'll be amazed how many doors open to you.

[JayCT]

Let’s return to the topic of the OP which is New Haven development. JayCT, Moderator

[Stylo]

A lot later than intended, but finally finishing the Orange St. project:

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/..._intersection/