Fazio, New Canaan Officials Cite Need for 8-30g Reforms

New Canaan first selectman: ‘We have a right to be angry’ about proposed 102-unit development

Construction noise from the town’s newest affordable housing project competed with elected officials on Thursday while they made their case against plans for a proposed 102-unit development with 31 affordable units nearby on the corner of Weed and Elm Streets.

A crowd of 30 stood in front of the Canaan Parish construction site expressing concerns about a proposed four-story multi-family building at 751 Weed Street by developer Arnold Karp in which 30 percent of the apartments would meet the criteria for “affordable housing,” as defined in Connecticut General Statute 8-30g, according an application submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The project, which would have 47 one-bedroom units and 55 two-bedroom units, has already attracted more than 1,900 signatures in opposition on a petition as of Friday and a GoFundMe has raised more than $27,000.

Roughly 15% of the Housing Opportunity Units on Weed Street would house residents with incomes that are 80% or less of the area or state median income, and another 15% of the units would be for residents earning 60% or less of the area or state median income, whichever is less, according to the application.

“We have a right to feel angry. I don’t know what Arnold Karp is doing. That is the worst idea,” First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said addressing the crowd.

Both state Rep. Tom O’Dea and Sen. Ryan Fazio said they wanted to work together to change Hartford laws and bring the affordable housing decision-making process closer to home.

Housing Authority Chairman Scott Hobbs said the 8-30g statutes are akin to “trying to solve a problem with a bazooka.” 

https://www.ncadvertiser.com/news/article/New-Canaan-first-selectman-We-have-a-right-to-16929877.php