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Affordable Housing: Town, Developer At Odds Over State-Issued ‘Moratorium’

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Attorneys representing the town last week pushed back on a local developer’s effort to have the state reconsider its issuance in August of four years of relief for New Canaan from a widely discussed affordable housing law. After an initial denial, the Connecticut Department of Housing in August granted New Canaan a four-year “moratorium” from the law known by its statute number, 8-30g. Under it, in towns where less than 10% of all housing stock qualifies as affordable, developers who propose projects where a certain number of units are set aside to rent at affordable rates may appeal to the state after a local P&Z Commission denies their applications. New Canaan since its last moratorium lapsed in July 2021 has received three such applications, at Weed and Elm Streets (120 units), Main Street (20 units) and Hill Street (93 units). P&Z denied all of them.

Dionna Carlson

‘Leaving an Indelible Mark’: Dr. Harrison Pierce Steps Down from Health & Human Services Commission

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The town’s highest elected official last week honored a local physician and community leader during the COVID-19 pandemic known to generations of New Canaan families. First Selectman Dionna Carlson recalled during last week’s Health & Human Services Commission meeting that the appointed body’s chair, Dr. Harrison Pierce, dropped into her office following Carlson’s one year ago to say it may be time to step down from the role, she recalled. “And I said, ‘Please don’t leave me’ ” and “Please give me a year at least,’ ” Carlson recalled during the Commission’s Dec. 4 meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “So he was gracious as he always is, in being willing to serve an additional year to help me get on my feet,” she continued.

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Housing Authority: CHFA ‘Very Interested’ in Loan for Affordable Housing at Riverwood

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A quasi-public affordable housing lender appears to be “very interested” in loaning the New Canaan Housing Authority money as the local agency moves toward converting some units at a newly acquired Lakeview Avenue apartment complex into “affordable,” as per the state’s definition, officials say. The Housing Authority last month closed on the former ‘Avalon’ complex—renamed Riverwood at New Canaan—for about $75 million. According to Housing Authority Chair Scott Hobbs, the head of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority or ‘CHFA’ is said to be “very interested in loaning us money at very favorable rates to convert some units.”

“We’ll see what they’re offering because it’s possible we could cut some of our debt service,” Hobbs said during the Housing Authority’s Dec. 4 meeting, held via videoconference. “It’s possible also if they’re doing this 1% type money or something, it may make sense to make some 8-30g qualified units now.

Government

August Rain Storm Caused $16,000 in Damage to Bristow Park

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The major rain and flooding that hit New Canaan in August, causing property damage throughout town, also required nearly $16,000 in repair to a public park that marked its centennial this year. The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved a $15,665 contract with a New Canaan-based company that provided emergency work to address the extensive damage done to Bristow Park during the Aug. 18 storm. “All the trails got washed out,” Public Works Director Tiger Mann told the selectmen during their regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the contract with Peter Lanni Inc. The funds are available in DPW’s storm account.

Board of Selectmen

‘Family Fourth’ at Waveny To Be Held Friday, July 4; Selectmen OK Fireworks Contract

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The Board of Selectmen this week approved a $35,000 contract with a Douglassville, Pa.-based company to provide fireworks at this year’s Fourth of July celebration in Waveny. The Family Fourth will be held Friday, July 4 with a rain date of July 5 and a backup rain date of July 12, according to Tom Stadler, chair of the committee that long has organized the hugely popular family-friendly event. “This is our normal contract,” Stadler told the selectmen at their regular meeting, held Tuesday in Town Hall and via videoconference. “That’s the same amount as last year. It’s not gone up a dime, but the show will be just as good.”

First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the contract.