To Be A Village Or Not To Be A Village?

To be a village—or not to be, that is the lingering question. Several people spoke for and against the issue of Stony Creek becoming an official “village” at Thursday’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) meeting, but the public hearing was continued until Oct. 16.

The executive board of the Stony Creek Association (SCA) is requesting the Village District designation to help protect the unique character of its community. If approved,  a review board would be appointed to make recommendations to the P&Z regarding major renovations or sizable new construction of both residential and commercial buildings. Click here to read a previous story.

“Stony Creek is recognized as a state treasure,” said SCA member Betsy Wieland (pictured), who made the presentation. She listed the community’s assets, including easy access to Long Island Sound, tour boats of the Thimble Islands, the Stony Creek Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, and the Stony Creek Museum.

“Stony Creek is a community within the town of Branford unlike any other section of town,” said Wieland, who is the chair of the Village District Exploratory Committee. “The richness of life here merits special protection from inappropriate development, construction and re-construction.”

The Village District designation was enacted by state statute in 1998, and the concept was adopted by Branford as part of its Plan of Conservation and Development that was approved in 2008.  Branford’s Town Center became a Village District in 2011, and is the only neighborhood with that designation. Click here to read about it.

Wieland listed the following reasons for enacting the new zoning designation:

—To protect and maintain the “unique character, charm and balance” of Stony Creek.

—To provide guidance to the Branford P&Z Commission “based on a set of standards reflecting the scale, rhythm and architectural elements” of Stony Creek buildings

—To reduce neighborhood conflict by creating a review board to assist in making design choices that are “compatible with neighboring buildings based on a set of design guidelines.”

—To protect property values.

Wieland said there were several lawsuits recently that “cost residents dearly” regarding new homes proposed for Stony Creek. She said the review board process would help reduce that type of conflict.

Is the Village Idea “half-baked?”

Before the public comment period, the P&Z commission read correspondence from people who could not attend.

John Opie, a former first and third selectman, wrote that he is against the proposal, and said his comments are the same as those he posted on the recent Branford Eagle article.

Opie, who lives in Stony Creek, wrote: “Residential property owners tend to prefer to express their own taste through the design of their homes. While we may or may not agree with the design of a home, provided it complies with zoning and health codes, this should be the prerogative of the owner. In general, Stony Creek has fared well with the design of new homes over the years.  We have a wide variety of home designs with many reflecting the trends of their construction era.  There is no such thing as a “Stony Creek design”, nor should there be.”

Stony Creek resident Brenda Shipley wrote, “The association misrepresents the will of residents;” and she called the proposal “a half-baked idea.”

“Speaking as a non-Creeker, I don’t see too much detrimental effect Stony Creek had recently,’ said P&Z chair Ellsworth McGuigan. “It is something that could happen.” He added that “I think Stony Creek has maintained its unique and special charm.”

Dan Bullard (pictured), SCA president, explained that in the last 10 to 20 years, the village began to change.  “New York money has come in…the cottages were knocked down and bigger houses were built,” Bullard said. “We felt we had no say in the town of Branford,” when it comes to zoning issues.

However, Bullard said he was unsure about the Village District proposal. “I don’t think this is a clear-cut thing. I’ve gone back and forth on this thing.”

Bullard also disputed people’s claims that they weren’t informed about the proposed. “We’ve done everything we could to communicate with people,” he said.

About a dozen of the 30 people who attended the hearing spoke about the proposal.

Linda Reed, a member of the SCA and the Village District Committee, said they chose a Village District designation because it’s less restrictive than a historic designation.

Stony Creek resident Sandy Fischer said she “heartily” disagreed with the proposal. “It’ simply adds another layer of regulations.”

Edward Gagliardi said the SCA’s claims that the majority of property owners support the proposal cannot be substantiated. “People who are going to be hurt by this are the people who can’t afford to go to court,” said Gagliardi, who resides in Stony Creek.

Josh Books, a member of the SCA and the town’s Representative Town Meeting, spoke in support. He is also on the Village District Committee.  “We really tried to get everybody’s voice.” He said two surveys were sent out but some people didn’t respond.

Branford resident Jacey Wyatt said perhaps Branford needs an architectural review board for the whole town. She urged the P&Z commission to take more time to discuss the Stony Creek issue.

“Taste Is An Individual Thing.”

Phil Fischer, a former member of the P&Z Commission, also spoke in opposition. “I object to a small committee deciding what architecture is best,” he said. “Taste is an individual thing.”

Stony Creek resident Lauren Brown said she supports the Village District. “A lot of people are attracted to the area because of its distinct character,” she said, as she invited people to drive down Thimble Islands Road a take a good look at the area.

P&Z member Charles Andres asked the SCA to find out how many homes could be affected by the change, and how many review applications might be generated in a year’s time. He said the Village District in Branford’s Town Center affects commercial establishments and multi-family homes, but doesn’t include single-family homes. “You are doing something new,” he said, by including residential buildings.

The proposal would affect construction or renovation of single family homes that are 2,000 square feet or over; and double family homes over 4,000 square feet.

Wieland said most homes in Stony Creek are less than 2,000 square feet, so they wouldn’t be affected. She said the people who would be affected are those who want to build a large home that wouldn‘t blend into the neighborhood. “We’re trying to avoid big box houses in Stony Creek,” she said.

P&Z member Joseph Vaiuso said it could affect more homes since people sometimes buy two or three small homes and tear them down to build a large home. “They’re just trying to protect themselves from that happening,” he said of the SCA.

After about two hours, McGuigan said he would continue the public hearing to allow the SCA time to provide additional information to the commission. He also said the SCA should meet with zoning staff to discuss some provisions of the proposal that contradict P&Z regulations.

The hearing will resume Oct. 16, at which time the public will be able to offer additional comments.

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