More than 40 residents in town have formed a new political action committee, Keep Oxford Green (KOG), in an attempt, they say, to keep the town as rural as possible.
There have been several projects proposed that would offer affordable housing in town, including one for a manufactured (mobile home) home project near the Waterbury-Oxford Airport.
The town rejected the plan.
It is now before the courts and a decision could come by Oct.30, town officials said. The town is currently waiting to see which way the decision will go.
Ed Carver, who heads up the new PAC, said they oppose any type of condominiums and or high density housing in town. Currently in town there is only one affordable apartment complex, Crestview Ridge, which is for the elderly and disabled.
Carver said they have about 40 supporters that are Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters in town. He said additional affordable housing would not be good for the town because it could have a potential impact on the town’s school system.
However, Herman Schuler, the town’s economic development director, called the new PAC, “political,’’ and pointed out that if less than 10 percent of the town’s housing stock is not affordable, that under state law, it becomes difficult for the town to reject projects for affordable housing.
The town only has about 1 percent of housing stock considered affordable.
Schuler instead charged that Carver and Republican Selectman Augie Palmer, who is running for the Planning and Zoning Commission, have formed the PAC to use it for political means.
He also noted that Palmer is the production manager for Carver’s Oxford Science company and that fellow Republican Dave Haversat is running against Democratic incumbent MaryAnn Drayton-Rogers in November.
“It’s disgusting that this is the only issue they could come up with for the election,’’ said Schuler.
Carver denied forming the PAC for political reasons. “This is about preserving the rural nature of our town,’’Carver said, “this is a bi-partisan effort and the furthest thing from a political motive.’’
The group is now gathering signatures for a petition against high density construction in town and will also hold a rally and barbecue from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 17, at the Round Building, 178 Christian St.
For more information on the new PAC, visit their website: www.KeepOxfordGreen.com, or contact them at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The MAD-R administration is not going to give up the idea of “Affordable Housing Projects.” There will be nothing to stop a “Father Panic Village” from coming to Oxford if MAD-R gets re-elected. Put your home on the market now. If the MAD-R team gets voted back into office, there will be a flood of homes for sale on November 5th. And, your home will be worthless. It will end up as part of the “Affordable Housing Project.” This campaign for “Affordable Housing Projects” started by Maryann Drayton-Rogers is absolutely no good for Oxford. It will be saying “Good Bye” to Rural Oxford.
You have to ask yourself “why is MAD-R doing this?” Is it because she just don’t care? Is it for some other reason? Do the contractors have anything to do with this? There must be a reason that she will not let go of this dumb idea. I can understand why Dave McKane likes it. He is just a follower who only wants his daughter moving back in to Oxford. Yes, he did say this.
Herman Schuler ideas are, well nothing to write home about. That’s all I have to say about good old Herman.
OxfordMan, i.e. Joe Rasberry, is on the RTC and of course I’d trying to make this a Drayton-Rogers issue because it’s in his parties best interest to do so. What he and other Republicans don’t tell you is that this issue was initiated by PLANNING AND ZONING, not Drayton-Rogers. Guess what about P&Z, ALL OF THEM voted for this issue and the MAJORITY of them are Republicans, so this was a majority Republican initiative. They are afraid to deal with the facts and for them, it is better to blame others then look at themselves.
P&Z was only studying this issue because Palmer and Haversat failed to enact strong housing regations that would control affordable housing, which is why Oxford is in court now getting sued by Garden Homes. P&Z was trying to study the issue to enact real and enforcable regulations which would keep developers in check and they had to do so because of the mess Palmer and Haversat created for Oxford.
The real problem lies with the Republicans and people like Palmer and Rasberry trying to scare people. They are two people ho have nothing better to do then create chaos and they are no good for Oxford. Do not vote for Palmer for P&Z because as three Republican members of the current P&Z have said, Palmer will only cause a circus with all of his lies.
Crazy…all good points…also, Mr. Rasberry and the others opposed to this study do not ever talk about the point Mr. Schuler mentioned, that towns having less then 10% affordable housing are at a disadvantage and would have a difficult time stopping those developers from building. SO, the goal of the P&Z would have been to study what new regulations could be enacted to better control this issue. The result of the lies and scare tactics of people like Joe Rasberry and Augie Palmer have actually hurt Oxford. Why would anyone want to listen to people like them when all they do is lie, scream at you if you do not agree with them, and blame others for their own shortcomings?
Oxford, please, do not vote for Palmer for P&Z and do not listen to the ramblings of these two maniacs.
There are now several developers considering building affordable housing in Oxford. If they are denied, they will take it to the courts, and almost certainly win. The best Oxford can do is develop strong regulations that permit affordable housing, but the types of housing that we prefer, (not high rises, and and in areas we prefer.
Certain professional politicians and perpetual office seekers have recently created a furor by spreading inaccurate information and downright lies regarding the Oxford Planning and Zoning Commission’s receipt of a Home Technical Assistance Grant. Their hyperbole is designed to further their own obsession with power rather than properly inform and protect the citizens of Oxford.
The following is the truth concerning this grant and its evolution:
• To-date, the town has expended nearly $300,000.00 in legal fees defending itself in a lawsuit over the denial of an affordable housing application.
• Despite the Republican candidate for First Selectmen’s claim to the contrary, Oxford has no zoning regulations for affordable housing.
• This lack of regulation is an impediment to the denial of an inappropriate application and the defense of any subsequent appeal.
• In recognition of this, the PZC applied for and received the Home Technical Assistance Grant.
• The purpose of the grant was to identify areas along the Rt. 67 corridor (166 parcels totaling 349 acres) that may be suitable for the creation of a “Housing Incentive Zone” with the emphasis on mixed-use commercial and residential.
• After public input and analysis, regulations would be drafted creating this Housing Incentive Zone, if the PZC deems it appropriate.
• Oxford currently has 45 housing units that meet the definition of “affordable”.
• Under Connecticut State Statute 8-30g, Oxford is required to have approximately 415 units of affordable housing.
• This same statute defines “affordable” as a rent or mortgage of $1600.00 per month.
• The PZC’s vote to proceed with this grant was unanimous, including two members who are currently Republican nominees for re-election.
• In response to the pandering promulgated by a former Republican selectman who is a candidate for PZC and the Republican candidate for First Selectman, the PZC determined that it was impossible to receive the public input necessary for thoughtful deliberations and voted to terminate its participation in the grant.
• Once again, this vote was unanimous including the two, current Republican candidates.
A sample of the falsehoods perpetrated by the power-hungry include: regulations created to benefit one developer, the existence of an actual project, a multi-story project designed for low income residents, and plans to make Oxford resemble downtown Derby or Norwalk.
There is no substitute for cautious and logical study of growing community’s problems. Do not return those fools to office who deny you that opportunity for their own gain.
After living in Bridgeport for nearly 30 years, this is NOT want Oxford Wants. You can have regs in place all day long but the developers get around it. I see someone mentioned spending $300,000 on legal bills, GOOD! Once you buckle the developers are like ants coming in, they know the community is weak. Fight, it Fight it. Rather spend 300K once than 3 million every year on education and costs cleaning up the blight. I lived through it, it NEVER turns out the way the big developers and greedy politicians tell you. The Ansonia development which had high crime started off with the best of intentions as workforce housing, it turned into such a dump they are knocking it down. Dosen’t this woman who is running for office again want workforce housing? She is quoted as saying so in the paper. Or does the Pig Farmer have a big answer for that as well?
Not Again,
Again, this was an action by Planning and Zoning, NOT the Selectmen. In an election year, the Republicans are looking for an issue to run on and they latched onto this. Remember, P&Z is a majority REPUBLICAN board, so if you want to get technical, this was a REPUBLUCAN initiative. So to blame the Selectmen, is simply an election year and divisionary tactic. If you want to be upset at anyone, blame Palmer and his administration for not enacting stronger regulations, which now leaves us more vulnerable. At least P&Z is now trying to take a proactive approach because of the debacle of Garden Homes under Palmer and Haversat.
Crazy in Oxford must be a Democrat because they keep talking about Republicans. I’m an Independent. Does not matter what party label you put on it or who said it. From readingt the papers I know where the Chairman of the Oxford P&Z and the developers stand, I know who has the most to gain. I know you Crazy in Oxford want this housing, but now the heat is on so you blame the other party, a true example of a coward. The state is going to Dump Dodd and the Oxford Democrates.
Not Again,
Actually, I am an Independent as well. Some issues I agree with Republicans and some I agree with Democrats. I do not want affordable housing in Oxford, contrary to what you think, what I want are for the Republicans to stop making up lies about this issue as they have been doing and to take responsibility for their actions and not blame others.
The truth is that this issue was initiated by Planning and Zoning, a Republican majority board, and every member voted for it. This issue was NOT initiated by the Selectmen and to blame them for it, is an outright lie! That is my issue.