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Affordable Housing: Court Denies 8-30g Appeal in Proposed ‘Red Cross Building’ Project

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A state Superior Court judge last week ruled in the town’s favor in one of three closely followed affordable housing appeals. According to a 49-page decision issued by Judge Ted O’Hanlan, the Planning & Zoning Commission did not run afoul of state law or New Canaan’s own regulations when it denied a proposed 20-unit redevelopment of the so-called “Red Cross building” at 51 Main St. two years ago. The application had been filed on behalf of property owner Arnold Karp under a state law known by its statute number, 8-30g (six of the 20 units in the proposed development would have been set aside to rent at affordable rates). P&Z “met its burden under 8-30g to show that the reason cited by the commission for its denial, the protection of the public interest in the historic value of the property and the Red Cross building in the Church Hill Historic District itself, was supported by sufficient evidence in the record,” O’Hanlan wrote in the decision.

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Joan Turner Brode, 88

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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joan Turner Brode, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, who passed away at the age of 88 on February 25, 2025. Joan was born on September 1, 1936, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth and John Turner. She was a force to be reckoned with from an early age and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Nursing. Settling in Philadelphia and working as a Pediatric Nurse, it was there that she met and married the one and only love of her life, Edward Brode and together they raised a wonderful family in Orchard Park, NY and Summit, NJ before settling in New Canaan, CT for the last 30 years. After losing her husband to cancer in 1995, Joan set out to live her life to the fullest.

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Podcast: Waveny Playground Co-Chair Monica Capela

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This week on 0684-Radi0, our free podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to Monica Capela, a co-chair of the Friends of Waveny Playground. Through a nonprofit entity created with help from the New Canaan Community Foundation, the group is now fundraising for the widely anticipated playground. Note: If your family or business would consider a featured placement on the Waveny Playground Welcome Sign, prominently displayed at the playground entrance, please contact the Friends group for more information at ncwavenyplayground@gmail.com. 

Here are recent episodes of 0684-Radi0:

Business

‘Flour Water Salt Bread’ Coming To East Avenue [UPDATED]

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A popular area baker is planning to open a shop in New Canaan. The New Canaan Building Department on Tuesday received an application for a sign at 53 East Ave. for “Flour Water Salt Bread,” records show. Launched by Robert VanKeuren in Darien seven years ago, Flour Water Salt Bread (here on Instagram) makes a sourdough loaf among a wide variety of breads and pastries. 

The shop is about one or two months from opening and VanKeuren told NewCanaanite.com that his team is “very excited to join the New Canaan community.” “Flour Water Salt Bread is a fully sourdough American interpretation of a traditional French boulangerie, offering sourdough everything: breads, croissants, bagels,  pastries, English muffins, sandwiches and more,” he said in a text message.

Government

Town Pushes Start of Outdoor Dining Downtown to May 1

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Saying April isn’t a great weather month and that retailers favor the change, town officials voted Tuesday to push the opening of the outdoor dining season downtown back one month this spring while tacking on two final days in the fall. Currently, the outdoor dining schedule for “sidewalk cafes” is April 1 to Oct. 31, according to Town Planner Sarah Carey. The Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 Tuesday to allow outdoor dining from May 1 through Nov. 2.