The Darien Times

Campbell heads to Hartford to support affordable housing law changes

Written by Susan Shultz
Tuesday, February 08, 2011 11:33 AM

State statute 8-30g allows developers to overstep local zoning laws in towns such as Darien that do not have 10% of its housing classified as affordable. A developer may get around zoning laws if a proposal includes affordable housing.

Darien received a four-year moratorium from the state statute in November after filing an application with the Department of Economic & Community Development.

At the time, Campbell said the town's "first goal" after receiving the moratorium was to focus on the state statute.

"I think we really need to worry about the long term affects of 8-30g. Four years gives us some time, but what matters is the long term," Campbell said, adding that Darien will never reach the statute's required 10%.

Among the proposed bills up for consideration that Campbell is supporting are:

• HB-5562: Introduced by Darien State Rep. Terrie Wood, to repeal 8-30g

• HB-5781: To apply "smart growth principles" to affordable housing, including concentrating development around transportation areas; conserving the environment, cultural and historical resources and rural areas; expand housing opportunities and design choices to accommodate a variety of household types and needs; and protecting environmental assets.

• HB-5026: To amend state statute 8-30g to increase the number of affordable housing units in an affordable housing application from 30% to 40% to qualify for the appeals procedure.

• HB-5781: To require 8-30g developers, both in their initial application to local land-use boards and during any appeal, to produce evidence that a proposed affordable housing development will not have a negative impact on the environment, and show how the development will be connected to mass transit and commercial areas.

The town has seen several 8-30g proposals over the last several years, including more than a few from potential 8-30g developers Chris and Margaret Stefanoni.

The couple currently have two multi-family proposals in otherwise residential areas before the Planning & Zoning Commission, as well as one on Leroy and West avenues in litigation with the town — due back in court on March 29. Neighbors on Hoyt Street and Pheasant Run, where the two latest projects are proposed, have contracted their own consultants to fight the projects.

The first proposal by the Stefanonis on Nearwater Lane proposed in 2005 was also heavily criticized by neighbors. The property was eventually bought by anonymous donors and donated to the Darien Land Trust.

The Stefanonis also repeatedly discounted the town's application for the four-year moratorium, saying the points included in the application did not qualify under the 8-30g statute.

In Campbell's prepared statement to the committee, provided to The Darien Times, he criticizes 8-30g as a "one size fits all" and said it has caused Darien to take a "reactive" rather than "proactive" approach to affordable housing.

"The extraordinary amount of time and money spent litigating these projects could have been more positively directed at implementing a forward-thinking affordable housing plan of development," he says.

Campbell provides the Darien Housing Authority's redevelopment of the Allen-O'Neill Moderate Income Family Homes as a positive effort the town is taking toward increasing affordable housing.

In addition to asking the legislature to talk about modifying the statute to best serve the individual needs of each town, Campbell asks that it does "what is right for every property owner in Connecticut, and that property values are not destroyed by poorly planned developments under the threat of 8-30g."

While on the road to Hartford, Campbell told The Darien Times that it was "obvious" the town's been having problems and "spending a lot of money" related to state statute 8-30g.

"I think it is important for me to go up to Hartford and explain what's going on in our town," he said, adding he was "cautiously optimistic" that some amendments would be passed over the next year.

"This is not a Darien issue, this is a state issue. There are 30 towns litigating over 8-30 applications. There are 20 amendments proposed. Both Republicans and Democrats are asking for changes," Campbell said over the phone from his car Tuesday morning.

sshultz@darientimes.com

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