P&Z alters zoning for affordable apartments

CORNWALL — A zoning regulation change needed for a planned elderly housing development has been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The Dec. 14 decision was unanimous. However, opposition to the plan was expressed at a public hearing.

The change amends the regulations to raise from six to 10 the number of units allowed in an apartment building that meets affordability guidelines and is owned by a nonprofit or the town.

A subsidized apartment complex proposed for Route 7 in the center of Cornwall Bridge has been the focus of the Cornwall Housing Corporation (CHC) for several years now, as they dealt with acquiring land and seeking approval of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Preliminary design plans called for one or two single-story structures of attached apartments.

CHC is now considering a two-story building that would use less land and allow the apartments to be farther back from the road. The zoning change was sought by CHC to allow that option.

Those opposed to the plan are concerned about how a building of that size will impact the character of the town.

During a discussion by the commission on a motion to approve the change, P&Z members cited the goal of promoting affordable housing that is in the newly revised Town Plan of Conservation and Development.

The commission is scheduled to inspect the site at 2 p.m. on Jan. 9.

A final plan for the project will need further approvals by the town.

Latest News

Region One Superintendent Award Winners

Region One Superintendent Award Winners

Each spring, students throughout Region One School District nominate a standout classmate for the Superintendent Award. This honor recognizes individuals for outstanding academic performance, commitment to school sports and clubs, and dedication to the community. Below are winners for 2024.

Leila Hawken

Keep ReadingShow less
region one schools

Local pharmacists look to Congress to help loosen Rx squeeze

Local pharmacists look to Congress to help loosen Rx squeeze
Pharmacist Nasir Mahmood, Pine Plains Pharmacy, is advocating for independent community pharmacies to allow them to continue serving their communities.
Leila Hawken

Local pharmacies are historically central to community life and have been for generations. If they offered a soda fountain counter with round swivel stools, so much the better.

Today’s family pharmacists throughout the area, however, are struggling under an oppressive pharmaceutical insurance middleman system that strips away profit from their prescription counter.

Keep ReadingShow less
health

Major construction begins on Route 44 in Norfolk

Major construction begins on Route 44 in Norfolk

Slope being cleared of trees at the junction of Route 44 and Old Colony Road in Norfolk as part of CT DOT Project 97-95

Jennifer Almquist

NORFOLK — For the next five years, travel on Route 44 will be reduced to one lane in Norfolk, also known as Greenwoods Road West, for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) to replace existing retaining walls and stabilize the slope along the north side of the road for the safety of the highway.

Last week, DOT Project 97-95, as the extensive undertaking is called, was green lit to begin. Over time the stone retaining walls along the roadway have bulged from the pressure exerted by the angle of the slope and years of heavy rains. In 2010 a mudslide occurred in the affected section of highway which extends from just west of Memorial Green to east of Old Colony Road. In 2019 DOT installed temporary concrete bin blocks, or Mafia barriers (so-called because cement production of them used to be controlled by the mob), along the base of the existing walls due to their movement.

Keep ReadingShow less
construction

Elevating eco-conscious tourism in Litchfield Hills

Elevating eco-conscious tourism in Litchfield Hills

Rachel Roth

Kristen Jenson

NORFOLK — Manor House Inn has been awarded a Connecticut Green Lodging Certification, and will re-open just in time for Earth Day.

When Rachel Roth and her husband bought the 125+ year-old inn in February 2022, the property was in need of considerable repairs They spent the first seven months balancing accommodating guests and updating the property. Roth’s son worked hard restoring much of the interior space, patching walls, painting, and serving as property manager.

Keep ReadingShow less
environment