New Haven Independent

Developer Alex Vigliotti’s latest version of Founders Village features a 120-unit rental complex for seniors age 55 and above. The plans are part of a proposed settlement to resolve a lawsuit that centers on housing proposed for the 12-acre site between Cedar Street and Hillside Avenue.

Architect George Buchanan provided details of the revised project, which will include three three-story buildings with underground parking. He said that unlike previous proposals, this complex will have entrances on Hillside Avenue instead of Cedar Street. The complex will feature 70 one-bedroom units and 50 two-bedroom units, each having a balcony or patio.

The buildings will be joined by covered walkways, and a community center for the apartments will be built adjacent to one of the buildings. The walkways will connect to the existing Rose Hill apartments, which Vigliotti also owns.

The area must be rezoned to reflect the age-restricted status and other land-use issues. First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos said the rezoning was one of the stipulations made by the town during settlement talks. However, there were numerous questions about the developer’s zoning proposals at a pubic hearing Thursday conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Local environmentalist Bill Horne said there were inconsistencies in the new zoning proposal that “puzzle and concern” him. He did not list his concern but said the proposed zone, as submitted, could cause future problems when other developers attempt to use it.

“The commission really needs to look at what doors they would be opening down the road,” Horne said.

The P&Z and Inland Wetlands Commission knew earlier versions of this project well. Both commissions had previously rejected other versions of it.

According to the plans, about 5.8 acres would be changed from R-1 (residential) to AAHD (age-restricted apartment home district). The zone must first be created, and then applied to the site in question. The Founders Village apartments will all be rental units, with none offered for individual sale.

Town Planner Shirley Rasmussen said some zoning standards proposed by the developer are more permissive than current regulations and others are more restrictive and could possibly limit the use of the AAHD zone at other sites. She gave a detailed laundry listing of the requirements that she thought could be problematic. For example, Rasmussen had questions regarding unit density, height and number of stories, percentage of land coverage, setbacks and parking. She said some of the exemptions suggested by the developer may not be needed.

Stephen Voghell, who lives on Hillside Avenue, asked to see the proposed zoning regulations before the next meeting, so that he could ask questions about the issues.

“We will look at the exemptions again,” said Christopher Smith, one of Vigliotti’s attorneys. He said it’s possible to “tweak” the zoning proposal to address the commission’s concerns.

Ellsworth McGuigan, who chairs the Planning and Zoning Commission, said the site plan cannot be considered without the zoning requests. The issue will be discussed again when the P & Z meets May 21. McGuigan asked residents to put any new concerns in writing and submit them to the commission by May 11.

During a break in the public hearing, Smith said attorneys may have to ask the settlement court to extend deadlines for approving the project since the town’s regulatory boards have scheduled additional meetings.

The Water Pollution Control Authority will discuss the sewerage plans for the project on May 12, and the Inland Wetland Commission will continue hearings on the proposal May 14.

Michael Vergato, who has opposed Founders Village projects for years, voiced concerns about the new project Thursday, and also at Inland Wetland hearings earlier this month.

“The site was dumped on for a number of years,” Vergato said, listing debris such as 55-gallon barrels, paint cans and asbestos tiles. “That’s something you guys should look at.” He asked for additional testing at the site.

Attorney Smith said that soil specialists have tested the debris and the area, and conducted additional tests during the past week. “We’ve looked at all the debris,” Smith said. “It’s not a problem.”

Another complaint Thursday was lodged by Pasquale Candela of 95 Hillside Ave., who chastised the commission for not mentioning the three homeowners who live across the street from the site. “I’m all for this development,” Candela said. “But I think it’s a disgrace nobody even cares about the three houses on Hillside.”

“I do care,” said board member Chuck Andres. “Is there anything that can help?”

Candela did not offer any solutions.

Other issues raised by residents Thursday involved parking and traffic.

“There should be no adverse health or safety issues with traffic,” said Alan Mess, a traffic specialist hired by the developer.

In regard to parking, the project engineers recently revised the plan to include an additional 39 parking spaces in the exterior lots.

“The additional parking of the alternate plan is much better,” said Richard Stoecker, assistant town planner. Stoecker said there are other issues that need to be addressed, but he said the project satisfies one concern. “It brings some elderly housing into the town center.”

Project engineer Stephen Dietzko said the pump station, which will be built and operated by Vigliotti, will direct sewage from the existing apartments and the new complex to sewer lines on Church Street, where there is room for additional capacity.

In an interview prior to the meeting, Town Engineer Janice Plaziak said she is in the process of reviewing plans for the pump station, which must also be approved by the Water Pollution Control Authority. The new pump station is key to development because there is currently a moratorium on new connections to sewer lines in that area due to capacity issues at the nearby Bradley Street pump station.

If the Founders Village plans are approved by all the regulatory boards, then the town and Vigliotti would file a joint motion with the New Britain Connecticut Superior Court, asking the judge to approve adoption of the settlement plan, which was first unveiled last August. The case is pending that court.

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