Marshall Miles Interviews Colter Rule, Falls Village Housing Trust Application

For all Falls Village Residents:the Zoom Link for Sept 23rd HearingTopic: Planning And Zoning Hearing Time: Sep 23, 2020 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86341601829...Meeting ID: 863 4160 1829Passcode: 766471One tap mobile+13017158592,,86341601829#,,,,,,0#,,766471# US (Germantown)+13126266799,,86341601829#,,,,,,0#,,766471# US (Chicago)Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)Meeting ID: 863 4160 1829Passcode: 766471Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdS2d0js7

The Falls Village Housing Trust has submitted a scaled-down version of an affordable housing complex it proposed a year and a half ago to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The current plan, which will be on acreage in the Lime Rock Station section of town currently owned by Habitat for Humanity Northwest Connecticut, calls for 16 units, down from 28. They will all be rentals with one, two or three bedrooms. Each building will have a garage and driveway parking. Jandi Hanna, president of the trust, explained the group withdrew the first proposal after a hearing at which members realized a survey from Habitat was needed.

As he did during the discussion at a public hearing on the last project, resident Colter Rule, who lives in the neighborhood, has expressed opposition to the plan, although firmly stating he is in favor of affordable housing. “The consensus of me and many in Falls Village is that this is the wrong thing in the wrong place. The trust, which is made up of residents of Falls Village and Salisbury, has not shown how it will manage this. It’s too big for our town and our neighborhood.”

Rule believes the Planning and Zoning Commission falsely applied the incentive housing initiative to the property. He said construction of houses under such a label should be near transit or close to walking distance to the town center.

The commission has 90 days from the application’s submission to hold a hearing. Hanna said the trust is hoping to schedule a hybrid session that would allow for both in-person and virtual participation.