by Susan MacEachron

Norfolk residents turned out in numbers to fill the Town Hall meeting room for the Aug. 10 Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting. The commission quickly dispensed with the first two matters on the agenda: applications for a special permit to install solar panels and for a home enterprise to sell baked goods were accepted. The public hearings required for a special permit will be held at the next P&Z meeting.

P&Z chair, Tom Fahsbender, noted the number of attendees (approximately 25 residents attended) and said everyone who wanted to say something would be given a chance to speak regarding the proposed Haystack Woods affordable housing project that would be located on a 38-acre parcel off Old Colony Road. 

Kate Johnson, president of the Foundation for Norfolk Living, said she had asked people to attend the meeting and expressed her appreciation for all who showed up. She also thanked the land owners, Mark and Liane Burke, for their patience in allowing the foundation to retain the option to purchase the land for such a long time. 

The first speaker, noting that she lived next to the proposed project, said she did not love the idea of the construction, but was 100 percent in favor of building affordable housing. Twelve more individuals also spoke of the town’s need for affordable housing and their support for the project. One resident said he was in favor of affordable housing but questioned the cost of executing the project on this particular site. Many of the residents spoke of the desire to attract young families to town and the need for housing they can afford. There was significant enthusiasm expressed for the energy efficient homes being proposed.

At the end of the public comments, Johnson provided updates from the Wetlands meeting and noted that the Public Works Department had signed off on all of the foundation’s requested waivers. Johnson noted that the homeowners association would be responsible for the retaining wall along the town road but that it should last for 80 to 100 years.  

The question of whether a special permit would be required for the excavation, or if any required conditions could be addressed when the site plan is approved, was discussed. Glen Chalder, an expert in town planning who is advising P&Z, said that he had anticipated a special permit would be required when preparing his comments, but went on to say that it might be superfluous. He cautioned the P&Z members to avoid approving the excavation of significant material without tying the approval to building the residential housing. There was also mention of the expectation that Wetlands would require a performance guarantee in the form of a bond to ensure restoration of the site once the construction is complete.

Chalder advised P&Z that it should review the homeowners association documents when they are written. Johnson questioned whether that was appropriate, but Chalder urged the commission to reserve the right to do so. The public hearing was continued to September 14.

The final matter covered was a discussion of the material being stored and processed at the town farm, which is adjacent to the Transfer Station. First Selectman, Matt Riiska, expressed his frustration with having received a letter from Fahsbender stating that a special permit was required for the work. He described how John J. Brennan Co., handling the waterline replacement for Aquarion Water Co., is bringing material to the town farm, where it is being processed and returned to the job site. Excess material is being given to the town for its use.  Riiska noted the significant cost savings provided to the town. He also explained that the town farm dates back to 1868 and therefore the current use of the land should be grandfathered and not subject to P&Z requirements for a special permit. P&Z members noted the significant activity and disagreed, but suggested that they should ask their counsel, Michael Ziska, for his opinion on the need for a special permit. Riiska said that to avoid incurring legal fees he would fill out a special permit request.