3-Story Affordable Housing Project Proposed For Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — A proposed affordable housing development that first came before Fairfield officials a year ago is being reconsidered by the town after it was withdrawn and revamped.

The project would see a three-story building with 20 apartments — six of which would be designated as affordable housing — constructed at 15-21 Beacon View Drive. The overhauled version of the proposal was presented to the Affordable Housing Committee last month and the project is scheduled to appear Tuesday before the Town Plan and Zoning Commission for a public hearing recommendation. The hearing itself is unlikely to happen before the new year.

One concern that housing committee members expressed at a meeting Oct. 7 was that the project was too close to similar developments, including the Fairfield Housing Authority's Pine Tree Apartments, which are less than a block away.

"We would like ... to have things dispersed throughout the town," committee Vice Chair Stephen Grathwohl said.

Attorney John Fallon, who appeared before the committee on behalf of the project, argued affordable housing developments should not be isolated.

"You have to take your affordable housing opportunities where you get them," Fallon said.

The project has been downsized from the 27 units that were proposed several months ago, Fallon said, after the town suggested a smaller development. The new plan better suits the character of the neighborhood, he said.

"We heard what you said last time, particularly about the density of the development," Fallon told the committee.

The building would be just over 37 feet tall, according to architect Marc Andre. Fallon said two two-family homes currently occupy the site, which Fairfield property records indicate is about a half-acre in total. The project is being proposed by developer John and Dilan LLC.

The complex would include 29 parking spots, 18 one-bedroom apartments and two studio apartments, according to Fallon. The affordable rates for the 30 percent of apartments that qualify would range from $747 to $1,130 per month, he said.

As proposed, the development will be considered under state law Section 8-30g, which applies to towns where less than 10 percent of housing stock meets state criteria to be recognized as affordable. Under the law, the only way for the town to avoid approving certain affordable housing proposals is by proving a project warrants zoning denial because it poses a threat to public health, welfare and safety that outweighs Fairfield's need for affordable housing.

Assuming the project proceeds as planned, it will be completed in 12 to 18 months, Fallon said.