NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letters. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here.
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To the Editor,
As a longtime resident of New Canaan, I would urge Governor Lamont to sign HB 5002, An Act Concerning Housing and the Needs of Homeless Persons.
HB5002 would be an important step in addressing the massive shortage of housing that our state has. Across the state, housing affordability is at all time lows, and in our area, places like Stamford or Norwalk or Trumbull, which used to be affordable areas where many of our teachers commuted from, are becoming expensive themselves. HB5002 encourages towns to adopt zoning plans that allow duplexes, triplexes, cottage courts, etc. to be built in designated areas, and establishes grants to enable the necessary infrastructure upgrades. Crucially, this law is opt-in, not a mandate; towns can choose to zone according to HB5002, and are rewarded with priority to some types of state grants, as well as easier pathways to achieve 8-30g moratoria.
There has been a lot of fear mongering about the effect this bill could have on a town like ours, but I believe this to be misguided. While New Canaan could choose to not opt in, I think this would be a missed opportunity.
New Canaan is already planning to update our zoning code. Allowing more mixed use development downtown can enhance the vitality and walkability that makes our downtown so special. It would be great to have more homes for downtown workers and our teachers, more options for young professionals to move here, for older families to downsize, and for more people to be able to go shopping, to school, or to work without driving. Getting priority access for grants that could help us with important challenges like sewer capacity, would also be a major win, especially as overall state funding will likely decrease because of budget constraints.
Sincerely,
William Crane-Morris
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Thank you to all who attended the New Canaan Preservation Alliance’s Twelfth Annual Preservation Awards Ceremony and reception on May 18th in Morrill Hall at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Each year Preservation Award winners are selected by a jury of board members of the Alliance. To be eligible for an Award, the property must be viewable from the street, as well-preserved buildings are considered a gift to the community and are appreciated by all who value New Canaan’s heritage.
The New Canaan Preservation Alliance was also celebrating its 18th year!
For 2025, three preservation awards were presented: Extown Farm, New Canaan’s “Poor Farm”, first constructed in 1777 by the St. John family and now owned by the Prutting family, was honored for continued preservation of this important New Canaan landmark; 50 Pine Street, one of a group of three industrial structures on Pine Street, constructed in 1950, was honored for the recent beautiful restoration and renovation by Gridiron Capital; and 96 Woods End Road residence, originally designed by noted architect Richard Henry Dana, Jr in 1930 and recently renovated and enlarged by Rick and Kate Aubrey.
In addition, Ainsley Hayes of the New Canaan Land Trust gave an update on their planned renovation of the Grupes House.
But this year, the main event was a special Lifetime of Preservation Leadership award presented to Mimi Findlay for her dedication, perseverance, and exactitude in support of preservation in New Canaan, the State of Connecticut, and nationally. Slated as a roast/fete, many shared stories of Ms. Findlay’s advocacy for and influence on preservation, including spearheading the preservation and subsequent revival of Washington Street in South Norwalk and becoming the authority for the restoration of the interiors at Norwalk’s Lockwood Mathews Mansion. Among her many influential roles, Ms. Findlay also served on the Board of the Wilton Historical Society, the Advisory board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Board of the Victorian Society in America, the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Board, Chair of Board of Trustees for Preservation Connecticut, the Connecticut Council for the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, the Board of Trustees for Connecticut Preservation Action, Commissioner on New Canaan’s Planning & Zoning Commission, The Connecticut Governor’s Heritage Task Force, Board of Advisors for Weir Farms Heritage Trust, and Co-Founder and President of the New Canaan Preservation Alliance.
First Selectman Dionna Carlson presented a Proclamation honoring Ms. Findlay for her support of preservation in New Canaan, declaring May 18th Mimi Findlay Day in New Canaan. This was capped by State Representative Tom O’Dea presenting a Proclamation by the State of Connecticut in appreciation of her service declaring May 18th Mimi Findlay Day in the State of Connecticut.
Again, many thanks to all who attended!
New Canaan Preservation Alliance Board