On March 15, 2022, the Housing Appeals Committee (“HAC”) issued two decisions overturning the Zoning Board of Appeals’ (“ZBA”) February 13, 2020 denial of two comprehensive permits to the applicant, 383 Washington Street, LLC, to be constructed at 383-385 Washington Street and 0 Storrs Avenue. The applicant sought to develop a 70-unit rental building and an 8-unit townhouse ownership development.
As grounds for the denial of the rental application, the ZBA relied on concerns raised by the Deputy Fire Chief that the design of the site failed to provide adequate fire access. Additionally, in denying both applications, the ZBA noted the applicant’s failure to provide outdoor recreational area for the intended residents.
These decisions follow the HAC’s rejection of the Town’s 2017 assertion that the Town had achieved a safe harbor in that 1.5% of the Town’s general land area was dedicated to affordable housing.
Needless to say, Mayor Kokoros is disappointed with these decisions and the HAC’s refusal to acknowledge the Town’s legitimate concerns and support for safe, well-designed community housing.
The Town, with unanimous support from the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, will be pursuing appeals of both decisions in the coming weeks.