Letters to the Editor

NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letters to the editor.

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I was born and raised in New Canaan and I am in the business of restoring and protecting historic structures. My father, Philip Rose, started, developed and ran the New Canaan YMCA for 30 years.

It is simply unnecessary and counter to the interests of a New England community to destroy a landmark building such as the Library.

Architecture is the art of meeting challenges presented by the land, regulation, the neighborhood, and the client, and history.

Failure to protect the original library building and incorporate it into an expanded facility that meets the needs of the community is a failure of town government to set priorities. It is NOT because it cannot be done, it is only because the owner, in this case, New Canaan Town Government, isn’t requiring it.

In an age where private property owners are subjected to regulation and intrusion into their private property rights in recognition of the importance of protecting historic structures and neighborhood character, it is nothing short of bizarre that the destruction of the original library building facade and mass is even being considered.

The entire legacy and evolution of the New Canaan library, from the original building to its subsequent additions and particularly the historic streetscape the Library presents to the north and east elevations should be protected for all future generations.

It is an American theme to upgrade and improve and often to replace but only through past failures have we come to value preservation as part of the need to evolve our buildings in this dynamic society and economy. To not improve and expand the Library to meet the needs of the community would be a failure of even greater significance, but it doesn’t have to require the obliteration of the past.

Any architect worth their salt can design an extraordinary expansion of the library for the community while incorporating and protecting the prior iterations of how those same needs were met in prior eras.

I would argue that an Architect that fails to find such a solution and fails to convince thier client to set such priorities is a failure in their efforts. One could even wonder if such an architect is selfishly pursuing a plan they prefer for their own legacy than one that protects history. Certainly Centerbrook has proven they can do both.

On a grander scale, the New York public library has expanded, and is, successfully expanding its facilities and services for a vastly different city than when the building was originally built. But they accomplished it while protecting the landmark building facades that are so important to the cityscape. They even found a way tp protect the iconic bookshelves that were so unique and important to the library’s history.

What is New Canaan’s excuse? If the original library is lost it will rest on the shoulders of those that failed to protect it.

Doing the right thing is not always obvious, but it is this time!

Eric M. Rose

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Dear Editor,

I think we all need to be thinking very hard about the timing of discussing expenditures of $10 million of taxpayers money on a new library as well as several million dollars a year for eternity to maintain it.

In this new age of technology, libraries are no longer as critical to the community as they were in previous years. Statistics show a steady decline in usage.

Our current library gives charm and history to our town and could be renovated to have a newer wing added while leaving the old library intact as a historic landmark.

People do not need to use meeting rooms at a library in New Canaan. After Covid, the entire country now has an overabundance of offices and meeting rooms.

The biggest reason that we all should be cautioning is that our state is in financial difficulties.

Do we not owe it to our police, firemen and first responders to stand ready to fund their pensions if the state is unable to pay? Why would we waste money on a library where usage is plummeting and not protect those who serve us every day? This last year has clearly shown us how much we need our first responders.

Our own audit committee in town had cautioned against continued spending by the town since we have the highest debt per capita and clearly doesn’t support funding the Library.

I am in favor of helping the library, supporting the library and even funding a remodel of the library, but the idea of tearing it down and putting up a super modern structure that no one is going to use, that ruins the flavor of our little village atmosphere and makes us look as if we are a major city is not one we should be in favor of.

We are starting to look more like Stamford and Norwalk every day.

We must preserve the historic charm and integrity of New Canaan. It is why people want to live here—we are not just another city.

Cathy Kangas

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Although I have worked professionally for over thirty years in the repurposing and preservation of historic buildings, I write to [members of the Planning & Zoning Commission] as a concerned, current New Canaan resident, having lived in New Canaan for over thirty-six years, the majority of the time at 38 East Maple Street.

I offer the following in support of preserving and repurposing the original 1913 building and its 1935 gallery addition in its current location (3,600 SF):

1. The iconic building at the corner of Main and Cherry is recognized as a NC Historic Town Landmark:
   • New Canaan Historic Society, “Landmarks of New Canaan,” 1951.
   • NC Historic Architectural Resources Survey, 1987.
   • NC P&Z Plan of Conservation and Development recognized the building as an historic, integral part of New Canaan’s town’s character, 2014.
   • CT Historic Buildings of Connecticut, current state website.

2. The Village District and NC Plan of Conservation and Development  as well as Connecticut Statute for Village District 8-2J should be respected and upheld by the NC P&Z Commission.

1. It is not necessary to sacrifice a splendid, century-old landmark for an incongruous, glaringly out of context, (supposedly homage to our mid-century modernism)…it is anything but.  This is a library marketing strategy to try and “sell” a building that is more suitable to a modern college campus or office development.  Previously, I had respect for the architects, but this is not an exemplary example of Centerbrook’s work.
2. The NCPA/Friends of Our 1913 Library and Preservation Team, in conjunction with Architectural Preservation Studio study (2020) demonstrates that the historic building is in excellent condition (contrary to what the Library reports).  The 1979 SMS Architects structure drawings substantiate this evidence (SMS was the architect of record for several library renovations and additions (before and after 1979), and I was personally privy to Sherwood Mills and Smith Architects information and old library drawings when I worked with Willis Mills Jr. during the years 1986-2000, prior to SMS Architects acquisition by Perkins Eastman).
3.  Any proposed library expansion and parking should be evaluated within the current Zoning regulations.  A “spot” zoning “overlay zone” written specifically to accommodate the proposed NC library plan circumvents existing zoning regulations and should not be permitted.  Even when overlay zones are approved in surrounding jurisdictions, the underlying zone requirements are protected, such as setbacks, parking, Village District zone, Plan of Conservation and Development. Parking should conform to current requirements.
4. The Town “gives” (land for library parking and monetary gifts) should require the Library, a purportedly private entity (when in fact the Town supports the Library with taxpayer dollars), to relinquish the 1913/1935 parcel in exchange for on-going taxpayer “gifts”.
5. With the decline in local and national library usage (before covid) and the new age of technology, the validity of the library’s “ask” should be closely scrutinized.  I suggest that the proposed new library building is already outdated, before being built.  Additionally, the building cost is more in the realm of $40-50 million, not $38 million as purported by the Library.  New Canaan should require the Library to be transparent in funding, construction cost analysis and operating costs.
6. The proposed “Lawn” that commandeers the old library is superfluous, grandiose, and planning wise, inappropriately located (busy state road intersection w/ high traffic accident rate), has ADA accessibility issues and should be denied.

I respectfully request that that the current Library application, as submitted, be denied and that any forthcoming approvals be contingent on the repurposing and preservation of 1913 in its current location.

Respectfully,

Lea Cromwell

Centerline LLC

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On behalf of the more than 250 Realtors in New Canaan as President of the New Canaan Board of Realtors, I’d like to express our support for the new library project. The library is one of the top amenities a town like ours has to offer and ours should be a reflection of what New Canaan is: A beautiful, top-notch facility. It will help draw new residents. It will keep residents here. We implore the town to approve the outstanding plans for making our library a true focal point of the town and an anchor of the downtown area.

The Library building project group has kept the Realtor community apprised of the progress of the project from the early stages. We contributed to the project by sponsoring the DaVinci exhibit last year. We are so excited when we tell clients about what is to come: The children’s facility, the meeting and socializing spaces, the outdoor areas. The plans are incredible! We love the way they thought about this as more than a building. They’ve designed a treasure! A place to inspire, educate and entertain the residents of New Canaan. Like the Family Fourth, the new library will bring the people of New Canaan together.

We hope our officials will vote yes for this project to go forward and give the residents of New Canaan a Library they can be more than just proud of. It will be one they can be thrilled about!

Thank you,

Melissa Rwambuya

President, New Canaan Board of Realtors

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I write to urge [members of the Planning & Zoning Commission] to deny the application of the New Canaan Library (NCL) to change New Canaan’s zoning regulations by creating a quasi-public Library Overlay Zone. I further urge you to deny the application of the NCL to construct a new library as presently designed and planned.

The NCL is a private organization. It would establish a dangerous precedent to create a special zoning overlay in the business district for a private organization – no matter how worthy the cause. The library is a private entity – despite its call for a “quasi-public” label.

P&Z regulations require that adequate parking be included in all new construction for publicly accessible buildings. As a private entity the NCL must provide new parking spaces. The allocation of 76 parking spaces in the Center School Lot to the library is a travesty. Has the historic parking challenge for New Canaan shoppers, shop and office workers, restaurant patrons, and commuters suddenly disappeared?  On this issue alone, P&Z should deny the NCL application.

Preservation of character-defining historic buildings is an important aspect of the New Canaan Plan of Conservation and Development.  The NCL plan calls for the demolition of the iconic 1913 Library.  This is direct violation of the POCD, and is another basis for denial of the NCL application. The 1913 Library can be preserved and re-purposed as a stand-alone structure at a cost of less than $1 million; and by doing so, preserve the historic, small-town aspect, that the building gives to the intersection of Main and Cherry streets. Illustrations by landscape architect Keith Simpson show that a restored 1913 Library enhances the community value of the proposed “Library Green”.

Finally, The NCL plans include a $15 million loan from Bankwell for the construction of the new library, with the loan secured by the library property. If the NCL were to default on this loan, Bankwell could end up as the owner of the property, and sell it to the highest bidder – likely a condo development company. P&Z must make sure that this never happens by denying the application of the NCL in its entirety.

P&Z should send the plans for the new library back to the drawing boards. This project has become a community monstrosity, developed with an obsession for secrecy; ballooning in cost while at the same time becoming smaller in square footage and eliminating a $10 million underground parking component; potentially costing the Town over $25 million in grants, the cost to replace 76 parking spaces, and bailing out the NCL if it is unable to service the Bankwell debt; and destroying an iconic historic building, loved by so many. New Canaan Town Government has absolute leverage over the New Canaan Library Board as the source for 75% of the annual operating expense of the library, a vital source of funds for construction of the new library, and the as the permitting authority. Let’s use this power to create a new library plan that is a win-win proposition for all community stakeholders.

Respectfully,

Skip Hobbs

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I write to urge the [Planning & Zoning] Commission to deny the New Canaan Library (NCL) application to change New Canaan’s zoning regulations by creating a “spot” zone (the “quasi-public” Library Overlay Zone) for a special interest private organization.  The NCL is a private organization and as such spot zoning would establish a precedent of creating special zoning for a private organization.  Any proposed library expansion and parking should be evaluated within the current Zoning regulations.  A “spot” zoning “overlay zone” written specifically to accommodate the proposed NC library plan circumvents existing zoning regulations and should not be permitted.

I support saving our historic landmark Library at the corner of Main and Cherry Street and also urge the Commission to deny the application of NCL to construct a new library as presently designed.

The demolition of the 1913 Library building is unacceptable.

I have many concerns about the proposed library application but among them the so called private-public partnership and the “giving” of public land to a so-called private entity (and in return for no comparable exchange).  I also have concerns about the $10 million dollar outright “gift” with little Town oversite of construction budgets, transparent funding, and future operating costs.

Among my other concerns are the following:

1. P & Z regulations require adequate parking be included in all new construction.  As a private entity the NCL must provide new parking spaces.  The proposed parking (Center School lot) and crossing does not comply with current zoning regulations and is not safe for children, elderly, or individuals with disabilities crossing a two-way busy cross-through (short-cut) street.  On this issue alone the application should be denied.
2. The traffic consultant did not perform studies during non-covid times.
3. The application does not address the previously negotiated arrangement with AC Autobody for parking spaces immediate to their location so that they do not park vehicles on East Maple Street.  Trucks were previous parked on East Maple that endangered pedestrians, children, and obstructed sightlines at the intersection East Maple and Main.
4. The contribution of public land to the library for parking is worth far more than $10,000 per year the Town has agreed to (and we, the taxpayers ultimately pay the majority of annual library operation cost).  Something more should be required in return.
5. The Village District and NC Plan of Conservation and Development  as well as Connecticut Statute for Village District 8-2J should be respected and observed.

I respectfully request that that the current Library application, as submitted, be denied and that any forthcoming approvals be contingent on the repurposing and preservation of 1913 in its current location and that parking and safety be addressed and comply with current zoning regulations.

Respectfully,

John Cromwell