Mayor Weighs In on Keating

Mayor Harkins yesterday issue the following statement on the proposed redevelopment of the Keating Ford property. The letter was read at the beginning of last evening's Zoning Commission meeting. The meeting was attended by 25 people, and all who testified did so in opposition to the proposal.

The text:

Statement on Proposed Retail Development Application At Former Keating Ford Site

STRATFORD -- Mayor John A. Harkins today issued the following statement regarding the proposed retail development at the former Keating Ford site that is pending before the Zoning Commission:

Keating Ford is a prime site for economic development in Stratford, and I am ready and willing to assist any responsible investor with a plan for this site that will enhance our town. Conceptually, I am in favor of utilizing this property for retail development as a means of expanding our grand list and combating blight. I have concerns with the application that is currently pending before the Zoning Commission, though I believe they can be resolved amicably. The plans as they are currently drafted are aesthetically deficient and not designed to attract the quality of retail activity I would like to see as part of redevelopment in the South End. The request for variances on open space set asides, as well as buffer requirements between parking facilities and private residences are also troubling. The decision to approve or deny this application rests solely with the independently elected Zoning Commission. However as both a Stratford resident and Mayor, I strongly enc
ourage the Commission to work with the developer in a constructive manner to address these issues and ensure that this project is a benefit to the Town and in keeping with the character of our community while remaining financially viable for the developer.

Keating Ford: Round 2

The Zoning Commission hearing that so many of us attended on the proposal to turn Keating Ford into (perhaps) subsidized housing or a fast-food restaurant (see previous Keating Ford posts) has been invalidated for procedural reasons. That means none of our testimony (unanimously opposed) has actually been entered into the public record.

The Zoning Commission will reconvene tomorrow, Tuesday (9/21), at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. If you care about this issue please: 1) Plan to come; 2) plan to testify for the record; 3) call/e-mail friends and neighbors and ask THEM to testify for the record.

There is strength in numbers!

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.

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.