Newtown Planning and Land Use, Developer Say No Approvals in Place for Fairfield Hills Development

On August 4, 2014, Patch reported plans for retail stores and apartments coming to the Fairfield Hills campus in the summer of 2015. The article was based upon information provided by J. Michael Struna of Advantage Realty and Patch attributed that company as a source. Unfortunately, that information was wrong, Phil Clark, developer with Claris Construction, says.

Clark told Patch Wednesday, “We are just in the beginning, planning phases of the project and for Advantage Realty to send that out was premature. He [Michael Struna] was supposed to seek out prospective tenants in the daycare or restaurant field.”

Claris Construction is no longer working with Advantage Realty.

“We apologize for any confusion this may have caused,” Clark said.

According to Newtown Planning and Land Use Director George Benson, no official plans have been proposed to the town for development of the 30,000 square foot location. Benson stated that Advantage Realty “jumped the gun on this one.”

“None of this has started yet. It’s all in its infancy stages,” Benson said Wednesday. “In the old days you used to get the tenants first, then get approvals before they get funding. It’s not like that anymore.”

According to Benson, the plans have to go through Planning and Zoning first, next to the Board of Selectman and then to the Town of Newtown for a public hearing. Clark said in order for apartments to go in, asbestos and lead would have to be removed and approvals would be needed from the town.

Currently the Master Plan of Fairfield Hills does not include consideration for residential formal housing. It can be read online by clicking here.

The 35-page document states:

”We envision the Fairfield Hills campus as a vibrant sustainable destination where all members of the community can go to enjoy recreational, social, cultural, and indoor and outdoor activities. The campus would provide a home for some municipal services and a gathering place for a variety of town-wide events. Small retail stores, restaurants, and professional offices would be nestled harmoniously within a core section of the campus. The well-designed campus would connect the history of the site with its future, with the town maintaining overall control of the property and preserving the campus environment and architectural style.”

Claris Construction was the architect and developer of the Newtown Youth Academy and it was then, Clark said, that they became interested in developing the property. “Right now there’s nonprofits and town offices in there. We want to help offset the yearly cost of maintaining the building by getting some revenue back to the town,” Clark stated.

As of this posting, Advantage Realty has not yet responded to requests for comment.

[UPDATE] Aug. 6, 2014:

3:34 p.m.: This article has been edited to reflect the change of “Director of Planning and Zoning” to “Director of Planning and Land Use.” Patch apologizes for the error.

5:11 p.m. In the original publication of this article Patch quoted Tom Connors, Chairman of the Fairfield Hills Authority. He has requested for his comments to be removed.

Photo contributed.