With Permission
The Housing Authority and the developer of the proposed Parkside Village affordable housing complex are hopeful this year’s revised plans will succeed. The project would replace the dilapidated buildings that house low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
“We’re very optimistic,” said Housing Authority chair Doug Denes at Wednesday night’s meeting, which was held at the Parkside 1 complex at 115 S. Montowese St.
Diana Stricker Photo
“I am very excited about the next phase,” said Dara Kovel (pictured), president of Beacon Communities LLC of Boston, the development team hired by the Housing Authority.
Kovel said she hopes to submit the project to the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission soon, and that a public hearing could be scheduled in October. But first, a request will be considered by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) on Wednesday.
In July, the P&Z commission unanimously agreed to issue a positive report on a request by the Housing Authority to adjust property lines between the Parkside complex and the town-owned Sliney ball fields. The matter now has to be approved by the RTM.
“We’re taking it step-by-step,” Kovel said, adding that they hope to have the plans approved in time for the November deadline to apply for federal funding. “That is our goal,” she said.
The three buildings that comprise Parkside Village I were built in the 1970’s, and are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The buildings, which include 50 small units, are deteriorating, and there are no elevators. A second complex on adjacent property, Parkside 2, which has 40 units, was built in 1985, and has been updated with state grants.
Efforts to build new Parkside housing were stalled last year by neighbors’ concerns and design issues. The plans were withdrawn from P&Z consideration shortly before the November cut-off date to apply for federal funding.
Since that time, the plans were revised, additional neighborhood meetings were held, and other sites were considered. No other locations were appropriate, and a proposed property swap with the former Branford Hills Elementary School site was deemed unfeasible and legally problematic.
New Parkside and New Website
The revised plans flipped the previous sketches so that the larger portion of the building would be farther away from Montowese Street. “That was in response to previous concerns,” Kovel said. Denes said the new configuration would also save more of the forested area.
Kovel said a website has been created to provide “clear and transparent” information about the Parkside project. It includes updates, meeting notices, and also allows for comments and questions. Click here to view the new website.
The proposed building would provide affordable housing for low-income people of any age, not just seniors. However, Kovel said all of the current tenants would be moved to the new building.
Kovel said the plan is to apply for federal low-income tax credits, which are administered by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). Beacon would apply for federal tax credits and then sells those credits to big institutions to raise the equity needed. Kovel said a decision on the federal program could be made by March or April.
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