Land Acquisition group suggests taking a stake in town's future


KENT — A study group has suggested the town create a fund to acquire land, saying it would offer some protection against developers trying to bypass local zoning laws by using the state’s affordable housing laws.

"It would allow the community a stronger role in directing its own future and would make it less vulnerable to outside developers," said Dennis DePaul as he presented the findings of the Land Acquisition Exploratory Committee to the Board of Selectmen Monday night at a special meeting.

Some 31 Connecticut towns have already established land acquisition funds. Roxbury set up a fund in 2001, and has already been able to purchase two parcels of land with the $726,000 it has set aside.

Washington’s fund was set up in 2003; $475,000 is at the town’s disposal should the need arise; $175,000 has been reserved just for affordable housing land purchases.

Sherman, whose fund was introduced in 2003, has $3.5 million for land acquisition, thanks to a bond that voters approved at a town meeting. The town has purchased one family farm slated for development and has a number of parcels under consideration.

The seven-member Kent Land Acquisition group has been working since 2004 on "researching potential land needs in Kent" and exploring "mechanisms for funding the acquisition of such parcels."

Developers can bypass town zoning ordinances, if the town’s makeup has less than Connecticut’s required 10 percent of affordable housing, DePaul said — so long as their plans include a 30 percent allottment for affordable housing.

Neither DePaul nor the board questioned a town’s duty to supply affordable housing. However, Selectman Nancy O’Dea Wyrick took umbrage with the percentage.

"I’m not sure about the demand for 10 percent affordable housing. Not every situation is one-size-fits-all."

"That’s the problem with the state’s edict," DePaul agreed. "It’s too general, and it might allow developers too much control."

If plans for the fund are approved, the town would set aside money as part of the annual budget. Those funds would grow, and allow the town to deal with any land emergencies that come up. It would also allow the town to purchase any attractive parcels that come up for sale.

The committee conducted a survey that DePaul noted was not particularly scientific. The results, however, showed that Kent residents feel it would be worthwhile to buy land for: affordable housing, critical watersheds, farms and agricultural land and wildlife habitats and travelways.

 

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