Southbury Developer Files Affordable Housing Plan: Report

SOUTHBURY, CT — After four defeats and an impending likely fifth rejection, Developer Kevin Bennett isn't messing around this time. He has filed an affordable housing application for his project called The Meadows, the Republican-American reports.

Bennett is seeking approval of a 14-unit apartment building. He has reduced applications and is now down to four apartments but those recent plans are headed for a denial, the Rep-Am reports.

By filing under the state's affordable housing statute it essentially makes the town powerless to deny the proposal. The burden of proof shifts to the town as to why the plans should not be approved and a municipality can only cite health and safety concerns for rejection. Even if those issues are cited in a denial, developers almost never lose on appeal.

A town is immune to the state's affordable housing statute if 10 percent of its housing stock is considered affordable according to state guidelines.

>>>Read More at the Rep-Am.