Devil in the Details

About 50 neighbors showed up for last evening's Zoning Commission meeting to hear details of the proposed redevelopment of the former Keating Ford property.

There weren't many to be had, but what attendees heard was unsettling, to say the least.

Speaking on behalf of property owner the Armando Genga Limited Partnership, developer Nicholas Owen asked the commissioners for blanket approval for one of two proposals -- to be chosen by the developer at a later date:

1. A 34,000-square-foot shopping center with a restaurant, possibly a drive-through;

2. An apartment complex including 129 units of "affordable housing" (we know what that means).

Needless to say, this did not go over well. Moreover, when pressed for details about what kinds of tenants might occupy the strip mall, Owen offered nothing -- "We're not talking to anyone right now," he said.

Most infuriatingly, Owen said, "The demographics of Stratford are just not conducive to high-end" projects such as hotels or nice restaurants.

Really?

Pressed by commissioners about his proposal's lack of specifics, Owen said, "Mr. Genga's approach is to get [town] approvals now and wait until the economy turns around to see which way to go."

Following Owen's presentation, citizens were invited to comment for or against the proposal.

There were no comments in favor. About 11 citizens spoke in opposition, including OSNA's president and vice president, Town Councilman Matt Catalano (R-3), Ed Goodrich, several people named George Mulligan, and others. In addition the Zoning Commission accepted two written pieces of testimony from neighbors, both in vehement opposition.

The tenor of the objections? Homeowners in and near the Historic District do not want any more junk development -- nail salons, fast-foot eateries, dollar stores. How about extending the "village" concept that has begun to achieve traction in Stratford Center to Hard's Corner, with higher-end, more family-friendly uses like ice-cream parlors, flower or gift shops, boutiques, cafés, bookstores -- God knows Stratford could use another bookstore since the Whistle Stop closed.

The Zoning Commission took no action on the Genga proposal, so there is still time for neighbor input. Here are your zoning commissioners -- talk to them and let them know how you feel. They listen!

I.	Robert Connolly (R)	1165 Stratford Road
II.	Robert Galello (D)	2220 Main Street
III.	James Sheridan (D)	118 Freeman Avenue
IV.	Christopher Silhavey, Chairman (R)	111 Hickory Woods Ln
V.	Michael F. Henrick (R)	165 Brookbend Dr.
Alternate Members – Appointed by Town Council, 3-year term
	Ronald J. Hojdich (D)	260 Post Oak Rd.
	Adam Bonoff (R)	115 Blueberry Ln.
	Ronald Moreau (R)	279 California St.

The Keating Meeting

A group of about a dozen neighbors met last evening to discuss the future of the former Keating Ford property at 1055 Stratford Ave.

Next Tuesday (July 20), at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at Town Hall, property owner Armando Genga Limited Partnership will go before the zoning board to request a zoning variance allowing it "to construct a commercial shopping center with restaurant" on the property.

But that's not all. Town Councilor Matt Catalano (R-3) said that if the developer is able to bend the zoning regs, the next step would be seeking approval to construct 191 "affordable housing" units on the site. And we all know what that means.

"It's important that the neighborhood come out and take a long look at what's going to happen," Catalano said. Nearby Hard's Corner, the closest commercial intersection to the Shakespeare Theater, is already under distress since the closing of Ken Petrino's Mobil service station three years ago.

"Hard's Corner needs to be brought back to what we did [in Stratford Center] with the 'village' concept," Catalano added.

If you agree, come Tuesday at 7 p.m. to Council Chambers. To make a comment you must sign up in advance. Bring friends and neighbors -- the zoning folks will hear your voices!

Send an e-mail to Michael Bingham, the author of this post, at mbingham@conntact.com.

Shakespeare Theater Update

"It's going to happen." That's what Councilman Matt Catalano (R-3) confidently predicted about the Shakespeare Theater at an informal neighborhood meeting Friday at the Housatonic Boat Club (see previous and subsequent posts). Working with theater consultant Jim Volz of the University of California/Fullerton (author of How To Run a Theater: A Witty, Practical & Fun Guide to Arts Management), the town put together a Request for Qualifications that attracted 12 submissions. Six were invited for interviews, and the first two interviews -- Frank Tobin Associates and North Carolina-based Michael Hardy Management -- took place July 15. The remaining applicants will be interviewed July 21 and July 26. They are:

• Victor Gotesman of New York;

• Willem Brans Theater Arts Consultants, also of NYC;

• New Jersey-based Maggie Harrer;

• AMS of Fairfield.

Catalano also estimated it would cost "easily" $15 million to finally reopen the doors to the long-shuttered playhouse. Scary!

But...Catalano also said he had induced Middlebury-based Timex Corp. to commit $41,000 to restore the sundial on the east facade of the theater building. If spending 41 grand on a project that's been dormant for 21 years and doesn't yet have a developer sounds a bit fanciful...well, whatevs.

Keating Heating Up

Neighbor Pat Barnish has brought it to our attention that the owner of the Keating Ford property is going before the zoning board meeting on Tuesday, July 20 (7 p.m. Town Hall) for approval of either a strip mall or an apartment building. We have not seen the notice that went out to adjoining property owners, but somewhere along the line the words "low income" were mentioned. This is likely of keen interest to many homeowners in the historic district, and is obviously a matter of concern to OSNA.

There will be an informal neighborhood meeting tomorrow (Friday) at 7 p.m. at the Housatonic Boat Club to share information and discuss how we as neighbors may respond to this important neighborhood issue. Please come.