P&Z Quashes Higher Density Housing

The North Haven Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously on Monday to reject a proposed amendment that would have allowed higher-density condos in town.

“I heard most of the residents in town [speak] in opposition to this. Very clearly and very loudly, so my position would certainly be not to approve this amendment to the regulation,” said Verne Carlson, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

There were nearly 100 people in the crowd, most of who applauded.

Bernard Pellegrino, an attorney , was unavailable for comment. He was representing the locally-owned DonMar Development Group. If the amendment passed, developments on 10-20 acres of land would be allowed in certain parts of town with a density of 4.5 units per acre for detached homes and six per acre for attached homes.

Curt Andrews, a member of the Planning and Zoning, said he opposed the amendment because North Haven already has an inventory of small, moderately-priced homes.

“North Haven is blessed with between 700-800 small ranches and Cape Cod houses,” he said.

According to Theresa Vale, a zoning member, there “is a place” for multi-family development, but this case just wasn’t right since it’d cram “too many units in too little space.”

Before a second proposed amendment to modify zoning regulations to create “affordable housing opportunity zone” was presented, the applicant pulled the plug on it.

Another amendment, which would change zoning regulations on upper Washington Avenue, was postponed until next month.