'Last' Affordable Housing Project Approved In Milford

MILFORD, CT — And then there was none. The last pending affordable housing application before the city has been approved and now the city will not see another application for the next four years as part of a moratorium that was approved last year.

The Planning and Zoning Board approved a 9-unit project for 526 Naugatuck Ave. Marwan Sayyed is the owner.

Attorney Thomas Lynch said this was the last such project approved prior to the 4-year moratorium going into effect. He said a prior structure was demolished and the site is ready for development. He said CDD-2 zone permits multifamily development with 30 percent dedicated to affordable units, making the proposal unlike more controversial developments that had been constructed in single family zones.

He said 3 buildings would consist of 9 units with 3 unit set aside as affordable. Ron Wassmer, PE, CCG, 49 Research Drive, reviewed the site plan. He noted a recreational open space, discussed the landscaping plan including screening, street trees, and privacy fencing in back. He said the site required minimal storm drainage and would be connected to public utilities via underground infrastructure.

City Planner David Sulkis said the architecture doesn’t meet architectural requirements due to the use of vinyl siding. He noted that conforming to the standards is waived under the state's affordable housing statute and that the landscaping was quite bare and he asked that more be provided.

PZB member Jim Kader asked if neighbors had raised objections, if the vinyl could be upgraded, and if could solar panels be incorporated.

Lynch said it was a small project that solar would be prohibitively costly. He agreed that the zoning regulations had not met for architectural standards but reminded the group that the 8-30g statute overrides them and added that this cost was even more prohibitive at approximately $60k. He said there are new vinyl composites that are aesthetically pleasing and durable. He asserted that additional landscaping would be acceptable to his client as a condition of approval.