Zone Change Sought To Allow 34 Housing Units In Madison

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

MADISON, CT – Developers of a proposed residential/condo development at 125 and 137 Cottage Road are looking for a zone change to allow a different type of housing project in an effort to give the stalled plan a kick start.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recently held a discussion with Bob Dowler and John Mathews regarding the development, called “Wellington.”

Dowler said it’s been selling the units as 3,000 and 4,000-square foot homes and the hope would be to get a zone change, allowing for smaller dwelling spaces for people looking to downsize.

In discussions with Director of Planning and Economic Development David Anderson Matthews and Dowler stated that it was decided that there should be an informal conversation with the Planning and Zoning Commission about a proposed change for the development.

Wellington is in a T or Transitional Zone; it is an isolated site directly behind Cohen’s Bagels.

Matthews stated that they are looking at creating a mix of housing at Wellington, but in order to do that, an application would have to be made for a regulation amendment.

Currently, Madison’s Planning and Zoning Regulations allow that a planned residential development consist of eight units to one acre and six units to a building; Matthews stated that they would like to have it changed to 12 units to one acre and eight units to a building, with part of the requirement being setting aside 10 percent of the residential space at a reduced or affordable rate.

If the regulation amendment could be adopted, it would only apply to Transition zones, and then Wellington would consist of 34 units, four of which would be reduced rent units, and up to 49 bedrooms.

Currently approved for the site is six buildings with 18 units and 33 bedrooms; rather than having garages for each unit, parking would be outside the units in the new proposal.

Buildings originally approved for one end of the village green would not be constructed; therefore the village green would be larger, and the main focus on the village green would be the historic red 1808 house.

Adjacent property owners will be notified of the changes in plans, according to Dowler.

None of the buildings would be any taller than the allowed 30 feet. There is a demand in Madison for rented spaces, Dowler stated.

Commissioners supported the concept, stating that the Planning and Zoning Commission has focused on providing alternative housing for a diverse population, with hopes of having housing available for all ages which includes affordable housing.

Anderson stated that he could gather information together for the commission to review.