Oxford Passes Affordable Housing Moratorium

After a public hearing Thursday, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a moratorium on all affordable housing applications until January 2011.

Commissioners hope this will provide some breathing room to draft regulations that will guide where affordable housing would be placed.

Pat Cocchiarella, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said with a moratorium on new applications gives the commission a chance to concentrate on creating solid regulations.

“This (moratorium) gives us time to craft proper regulations so we are in compliance with the state,” he said.

While town officials from political parties spoke in favor of the moratorium, one attorney is calling the action illegal.

Timothy Hollister, representing Garden Homes, LLC, said in a letter to the commission wrote that state law has strict guidelines for towns to declare an affordable housing moratorium.

The town is currently requesting an appeal of a court decision to allow Garden Homes to build mobile-style affordable housing in an industrial zone.

The statute provides a four-year moratorium for towns with “sufficient” affordable housing.

Hollister states because Oxford does not meet that requirement because there is no affordable housing in town.

“Oxford’s proposed moratorium if approved would void from its inception,” he said.

Oxford Town Attorney Fran Teodosio said during the public hearing that state law gives the commission “implicit rights” to have a moratorium.

First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said drafting regulations is a common sense approach. A moratorium would eliminate any distractions for the commission.

“You cannot be fair to the town or the applicants if you are simultaneously dealing with applications,” she said.

Former Selectman Augie Palmer said he hopes the commission takes time and discretion in drafting the regulations.

“I hope the commission draft regulations so the structures can look more like family homes rather than high density, mixed use housing,” he said.

The commission has scheduled three affordable housing regulation workshops in March and April.

Cocchiarella said because the workshops are considered special meetings, there would be no public participation.

However, Cocchiarella added residents can send written correspondence to the commission through the Planning and Zoning Department.

The moratorium becomes effective Feb.25 and expires Jan 15, 2011.

Comments

posted by: DadinOxford on February 6, 2010 6:14pm

OxfordFamilyMan…you are incorrect as well. The First Selectman does not approve anything, she made a recommendation which the P&Z could have approved or not, but they independantly choose to approve it.

Also, having an appeal heard is completely different then winning an appeal. The judge already stated Oxford does not meet the minimum requirements based on state law and he cannot rewrite the law, so Oxford will be forced to comply.

Haversat wanted to fight every battle in court and thought Oxford had strong enough regulations, well he was completely wrong and the judge agreed that Oxford had some of the fewest regulations in the state. On the otherhand, Mary Ann called for new regulations, which is what is now happening, so she was correct.

As far as Keep Oxford Green, all they truly cared about was the election of Haversat and since he lost, KOG has not been heard from and their website is now 4 months old with no new information.

posted by: OxfordFamilyMan on February 6, 2010 1:28pm

“pigfarmer” as the user name implies, has been sleeping in the barnyard too long. You are all wet “pigfarmer”, the 1st selectman alsoo approves the housing moratorium. The Valley Independent news dated Nov. 23 article HOUSING MORATORIUM in Oxford states, “The Planning and Zoning Commission — based on a recommendation from First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers — unanimously approved resolution the moratorium.” For Garden Homes with the same article, “Drayton-Rogers said based on input from town-hired lawyers during the executive session, she has a good feeling about the town’s chances. After listening to special counsel, I believe we have a good opportunity to have the appeal heard,” she said. Drayton-Rogers is finally falling in line with what Mr. Haversat had said. The new P&Z commission correctly placed a moratorium so the town can draft appropriate regulations. Keep Oxford Green are Oxford residents who are committed to keeping our beautiful town rural and will keep a check on those who want to take it away. Too bad for “pigfarmer!”
“pigfarmer” has mud in the eye as he wrongly states, “The PZC Chair did not make the motion to terminate the grant, it was one of the other members.” Vague statement by “pigfarmer”. Who was one of the other members? “pigfarmer” needs to read The Valley Independent news article dated Nov. 23, “Revolt in Oxford: Commission Drops Study”. It reads, “The motion to terminate the grant was presented by commissioner Ed Hellauer and seconded by Peter Bunzl.” The grant was terminated for polical reasons and not for the good of the town.
“pigfarmer”, now giving legal advice, agrees with the attorney representing Garden Holmes. “pigfarmer” and his barnyard friends needs to put the town of Oxford first and raise to a level above the mud level.

posted by: pigfarmer on February 5, 2010 7:24pm

OxfordFamilyMan is obviously a charter member of the cohort of misfits. First of all the PZC Chair did not make the motion to terminate the grant, it was one of the other members. Second, the vote to terminate was unanimous and included the current PZC Chair and Vice-chair. Third, the reason the grant was terminated was the blatant baloney Palmer and the Keep Oxford Green disaster was spreading.
Lastly, Atty. Hollister is absolutely correct in his assertion that the moratorium would hold no water if challenged. Just read the Garden Homes court decision. OxfordFamilyMan and his group need a step ladder to even glimpse the low road.

posted by: OxfordFamilyMan on February 5, 2010 6:41pm

The P&Z Chairman made a motion to terminate the grant and was seconded by Democrat Peter Bunzl. Bunzl and the rest of the commission had their chance to take the $50,000 state grant that was going to pay for an affordable housing study. Instead they took the low road and voted it down for pure political reasons. Thank goodness the new Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a moratorium on all affordable housing applications until January 2011. Now the the town can draft appropriate regulations. Townspeople of Oxford are being well served.

posted by: pigfarmer on February 5, 2010 10:35am

Augie Palmer and his cohort of misfits really messed this up. If the PZC had been allowed to pursue the affordable housing study under the Home Connecticut grant, the affordable housing issue in Oxford would be well on its way to being solved. Instead, Palmer and his band deliberately confused the issue for their own gain. Residents of Oxford, be you Republican or Democrat, please, whatever you do, don’t ever vote for this self-serving . . . again.

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