I’ve reviewed the Merritt Village proposal and the studies on file with the P&Z, and find the opposition arguments unconvincing.
My wife and I are among a large group of older, long-term New Canaan residents who are looking for simpler lifestyles. We wouldn’t choose Merritt Village right now, but should our health decline, living nearer to town on a single level with elevators could be appealing. We appreciate that developers are willing to risk their capital to make that choice available.
As owners of the oldest house in New Canaan, we’re deeply committed to historic preservation, but we don’t think that the conversion of one set of apartment buildings for another represents a cataclysmic threat to the town’s character. Merritt Village would be more attractive than the buildings it would replace.
Yes, the net addition of several dozen residences will increase New Canaan’s population density, but the studies suggest the impact would be negligible. Having driven the affected roads thousands of times, that conclusion makes sense to me. It also makes sense that increasing the property tax base will more than offset the cost of increased public services, given the likely demographics of the residents. The comments about “looming” building height fail to mention that Merritt Village’s greater set-backs mean more visible sky than at present. Finally, some argue that the value of all New Canaan residences (even homes in 4-acre zones) will decline due to the principle of supply and demand; they also should consider the principle of apples and oranges.
Clearly the comment process won’t lead to consensus. That’s why, thank goodness, we have an independent Planning and Zoning Commission, which we should trust to sort through and resolve the issues, taking into account how the property would be used if the Merritt Village proposal were rejected. Whether P&Z should modify regulations begs the question: If P&Z concludes that the proposal produces the best possible result for the town, of course it should be willing to modify its regulations. Theories of intelligent development are evolving, and local regulations should evolve as well.
Tom Butterworth, New Canaan