Milford PZB Settles Dispute Over Woodmont Affordable Housing Proposal

Last year the Milford Planning and Zoning Board voted to reject a developers bid to construct an 8-unit affordable housing complex in Woodmont at 1556 New Haven Avenue.

But on Tuesday night, the PZB approved a negotiated settlement with the developer, which would allow seven of the eight units to be constructed.

Why the change of heart? Last year, Milford received a one-year moratorium from the state of Connecticut against having to approve affordable housing applications in the city, and when that expired the developers came back with their plans.

Hence the change of heart, as courts often side with developers against municipalities in affordable housing disputes. The only way to prevent an affordable housing application from being approved is to show there are health, safety, and well being concerns, which is often hard to prove.

Resident Wendy Held was in tears and said the reversal was “disgusting” the New Haven Register reports.

The proposed settlement will be heard in Hartford on May 7 before it’s finalized, the Milford Mirror reports.

More than 50 Woodmont residents packed City Hall last spring to oppose that project, which the board denied at that time. At a public forum, speakers cited a host of concerns including safety, flooding, traffic and density issues.

The applicant’s attorney Kevin Curseaden, of Milford, last year told Planning and Zoning Board members that the proposal includes reconfiguring an existing two-family house on the site.

Additionally, two new buildings would be constructed, which would add three units in each facility. There would be a total of eight units combined on the 0.63-acre parcel and three units would be designated as affordable.

Another affordable housing application

The PZB may vote later this month on another developer’s proposal to construct 15 units of affordable housing at 14 Gulf Street near St. Mary’s Church and School.

Several residents expressed concerns with the plans citing increased traffic and the close vicinity to St. Mary’s.

The plans call for constructing three buildings to house the 15 units.

Patch file photo