Change to regs for CHC housing to air

CORNWALL — A public hearing on a zoning regulations change, as proposed by the Cornwall Housing Corporation (CHC), has been postponed until December.

The proposed amendment, regarding affordable multi-family housing, would increase the limit of six units per single building to 10 units.

The change would give CHC more options for designing its planned subsidized elderly housing on Route 7 in Cornwall Bridge.

A public hearing was planned for early November, but cannot happen until the proposal is reviewed by the Northwestern Connecticut Council of Governments (COG), a group made of first selectmen from nine area towns. A 35-day review period is required for zoning changes that could have a regional effect or serve as a platform for changes in other towns.

A new public hearing date has been set by the Planning and Zoning Commission for Dec. 14.

The project, which would come under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), calls for 10 units. As it has progressed through the planning stages, the idea of stringing together multiple units was joined by a single apartment building approach. The thinking is that the one building would be more energy-efficient and would make it easier for residents to socialize with each other. Hence the need to change zoning regulations.

The change would apply to any and all future proposals, as long as it stands. But to reiterate, it only applies to the town and its nonprofits, and not to other developers.

The CHC project still needs to receive a special permit from the town.

As the public hearing is likely to be well-attended, Joanne Wojtusiak, chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, asked the P&Z at its Oct. 12 meeting if the public could be notified in advance if time limits will be imposed on public comments. Advance notice would allow the public to prepare appropriately. P&Z Chairman Pat Hare said it was a good idea that the commission would consider.