Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police Department 22 Push-Up Challenge for Vets
Uploaded by Michael Dinan on 2016-09-07. New Canaan Police on Wednesday joined a global initiative designed to support veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Launched three years ago by Honor Courage Commitment Inc., the #22KILL effort is being recognized by NCPD with members opting in to do 22 pushups daily for 22 days. Based on the statistic that 22 U.S. veterans commit suicide each day on average due to PTSD, it’s a way to “show veterans that they are appreciated and not alone in their darkest hour,” said Police Chief Leon Krolikowski, himself a veteran. The public, veterans and emergency responders are invited to join the police at 2:45 p.m. on each of the next 21 remaining days for the initiative.

Government

‘New Canaan Is Not a Number of Houses or Residents’: P&Z Agrees To Modify Operating Permit for Philip Johnson Glass House

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After two public hearings that saw neighbors, including one member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, voice opposition to a proposal from the Philip Johnson Glass House to expand its operations, town officials on Tuesday night agreed to approve a slightly modified version of those plans. Designed to help the National Trust for Historic Preservation site fund the maintenance and restoration of its 49-acre Ponus Ridge campus and the 14 architecturally significant structures on it, the Glass House’s proposal—raising the baseline headcount allowed on the property and extending the hours during which people can visit—in January drew criticism from some neighbors concerned about noise and traffic. P&Z commissioner Dick Ward also voiced a familiar concern about the “creep” in scope that sometimes accompanies institutional uses in residential zones. Yet referring to the Glass House’s plans as “institutional creep” sets New Canaan off “in the wrong direction,” P&Z commissioner Laszlo Papp said at a special meeting of the group, held at Town Hall. “I would personally not call these entities ‘institutions.’ I would call them ‘public entities.’ Why?

Government

P&Z Commissioner Defends Himself Against Perception of Bias in Glass House Application

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A member of the Planning & Zoning Commission last week defended himself against the perception—already voiced at a public meeting—that he should recuse himself from a high-profile matter involving a National Trust For Historic Preservation site because it’s located just a few hundred yards from his house. Commissioner Dick Ward, of Winfield Lane, said that he has never spoken directly to those who oversee the Philip Johnson Glass House. “I have never discussed this matter with any of the neighbors or participated in any other neighbors’ meetings or discussions,” Ward said at P&Z’s April 26 meeting, held at Town Hall. “My house is three properties away from the Glass House, beyond the notification limit. And personally I have not been affected by the activities of the Glass House.”

Officials from the Glass House have said they’re seeking to expand their operations in order to meet the financial realities of managing the 49-acre Ponus Ridge campus and its 14 structures.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday decided to postpone to next month its decision regarding the closely followed application from the Philip Johnson Glass House to expand its operations. Designed to help boost revenue in order to keep up the sprawling Ponus Ridge property and its buildings, the National Trust for Historic Preservation site’s plans had drawn some concerns from neighbors. P&Z commissioner Dick Ward said during the meeting that he intended to vote against the Glass House’s application, while chairman John Goodwin said he favored it. ***

Police at about 5:30 p.m. last Monday received a Waveny jogger’s report of a sick skunk in the park, went there, found the animal and dispatched it. ***

The Rotary Club of New Canaan says it’s seeking “three warm and caring families” to volunteer for its well-established exchange student program, involving teens between ages 15 and 19.

News

Letter: Glass House ‘Critical to the Health of the Town’

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I wish to express my feelings on the importance of responsible development of our town asset of the Glass House. Having been involved with downtown issues for decades I feel this development is critical to the health of the town. I believe it was reported that the Glass House brought 15,000 unique visitors to town last year. Many of these visitors came to our shops, restaurants, stayed in our Inn. My belief is our downtown is not healthy.