August 2023-First Selectwoman’s Update-Cell Tower Approved, More Proposed Multi-Family Development
CT Siting Council Approval of Verizon Cell Tower. The CT Siting Council approved Verizon’s application to construct a cell tower at the Bus Barn. Under the terms of the approval, Verizon must submit additional documents to the Council for approval prior to construction. We have asked Verizon for a timeline and will share when received. The Council’s decision is available here.
Development Activity. There continues to be high interest in converting commercial office to multi-family residential with just over 500 apartments proposed in the second half of this month. Without question, this is a significant amount for the town to handle all at once.
In a letter to the Board of Selectmen, Toll Brothers, the contract purchaser of 15 Old Danbury Road, shared their interest to redevelop the property from near vacant commercial office to an apartment building. They are seeking to purchase a .56-acre town-owned right-of-way that currently serves as the driveway for the commercial office building located on the property. In September, they are expected to submit their proposed plan to the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) for a pre-application discussion.
The purchase of the town-owned right-of-way is not necessary to enable Toll Brothers to develop the property, but it is of no use to the town. The Board of Selectmen noted the area is a preferred location for multi-family as 1-it is next to the train station and 2- the property is below Danbury and Ridgefield Roads and thus the building will appear smaller from those roads. The Board voted to hold discussions with Toll Brothers.
The proposal would primarily be one and two-bedroom single-floor apartments.
Fuller Development submitted a request for a pre-application discussion with P&Z for a 100-unit apartment building at 64 Danbury Road. The current building is vacant office space that shares parking with buildings housing Hartford Healthcare, ASML and others. The property was previously discussed with P&Z and would primarily include one and two-bedroom two-level apartments.
AMS Acquisitions, the contract purchaser of 131 Danbury Road, submitted a request for a pre-application design review with the Architectural Review Board for a proposed 208-unit apartment building. The apartment building would be set back from the road with an architecturally-interesting smaller amenity building closer to the road. The rendering and details are available here. The site currently houses a 69-year-old building, which was the former headquarters of TracyLocke prior to their recent relocation to a newer building in Stamford.
The first two projects have been discussed for some time. The third project is new to us. All three proposals include 10% affordable units for individuals wth income at no more than 80% of the area's medium income.
To follow the proposals, please sign up for Planning & Zoning agendas and minutes here.
Residents often ask what impact new apartments have on the schools.
- The 2020 census population of residents under 19 was down 11% versus 2010, which was consistent with the national decline in birthrates. The current school year’s budgeted enrollment of 3,742 students is 500+ less students than were enrolled in 2010. Therefore the schools have capacity.
- When last analyzed in 2016, less than 50% of single-family households had a school-aged child. Single-family home sales generated .60 school-aged children per sale.
- When last analyzed in December 2021, new multi-family had the following enrolled students: 54 at 116 Danbury Road or .49 per apartment. 7 at 31 Old Danbury Road or .29 per apartment. The long established 25 River Road had 25 enrolled students.
If you aren’t familiar with the reasons behind the redevelopment of underperforming commercial properties to multi-family residential, please read my 2021 Op-Ed here.
Hazardous Waste Collection Event. HRRA, of which Wilton is a member, will be holding Hazardous Waste Collection on September 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Miller Driscoll School. Information is available here. Future events are available here. Thank you in advance to the Conservation Commission members who have volunteered to help with the event.
Possible New Ordinance/Ordinance Change. The Board of Selectmen is considering
- An ordinance to provide a motor vehicle tax credit for qualified vehicles for residents with disabilities.
- A change to the liquor ordinance to allow for a brewery.
Both will be discussed at our September meetings.
Please email me at lynne.vanderslice@wiltonct.org with any questions. Please, no questions via Facebook.
Lynne A Vanderslice
First Selectwoman