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Salisbury Affordable housing: Suit filed against town, SHC for housing plan

SALISBURY — Attorney Daniel Casagrande, representing a group opposed to the Salisbury Housing Committee’s plan to build affordable housing at 11 Holley St.  in Lakeville, is suing the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and the Housing Committee.

In a complaint dated June 8 and filed with the Superior Court in Torrington, Casagrande (representing 12 Millerton Road LLC, RJS Holding LLC, and William Muecke) alleges eight violations of regulations within the application.

He writes that the P&Z’s approval of the application (on May 17) was “illegal, arbitrary and/or capricious and constitutes an abuse of discretion.”

The complaint states that there is “no evidence” that the site is a suitable location and compatible with the neighborhood, and that the housing will not “unreasonably affect enjoyment, usefulness and value of surrounding properties.”

The complaint states the loss of parking spaces will have “a severe negative impact on the viability of surrounding businesses.”

Casagrande states there are two other town-owned properties that would be a “feasible and prudent alternative” to the Holley Street site for affordable housing.

And the complaint also holds that Bicentennial Park is “an integral part of the Historic District” and that the commission acted illegally when it determined that eliminating the park to build the housing is not “reasonably likely to unreasonably impair or destroy the public trust in the historic resources of the state.”

To view the complaint or get a copy call the town clerk’s office at 860-435-5182.

Patrick L. Sullivan

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