Community Corner
Somers Zoning Commission Approves Affordable Housing Applications
Jason Avery and Robert Smyth each received the green light to build their affordable housing properties.
After a three-year battle for Robert Smyth, his on his property at 251 Field Rd. has been approved by the Zoning Commission.
“I need a use for this land. I’m paying taxes on it,” Smyth said.
Jason Avery, not present at the meeting, has also been approved to build affordable housing at 225 Field Rd.
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Each application was for 20 units - each in the form of 10 duplexes.
Smyth initially proposed a zone change, an addition to an already existing industrial property, but this request was met with overwhelming negativity from the community.
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“The town was swayed by about 12 families in the neighborhood to deny the industrial change,” Smyth said.
One business in the industrial property includes Conval Inc., a valve production and sales company.
The affordable housing applications are approved under 36 conditions that must be met in order to build.
Smyth expects construction on his property to begin in 2012.
“It will be a good thing that will give a good tax base for residents,” he said.
Under state statute 8-30G, according to Smyth’s Attorney, George C. Schober, each town in Connecticut is recommended to have 10 percent affordable housing. Somers has approximately 2.4 percent, “which is why tonight’s applications were approved,” Schober said. “There are no developments like this so far in Somers.”
This time, residents seem to be in support of the developments.
“There was no big outcry of opposition,” said Karl Walton of the Zoning Commission. Walton said that residents “came out to ask questions and voice their concerns, and once they were satisfied, they were fine.”
Some of the concerns voiced included building and sanitation issues, but some residents were still okay with the proposition.
“I’m all for it,” said Lise Wood, a resident who has kept up with the issue from its beginning stages.
Both affordable housing plans need to be approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Town Engineer, the Town Sanitarian and other organizations included in the proposed conditions of approval before construction can begin.
