A developer talked to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission last month about possibly building between 30 and 36 houses on 25 acres on Coe Lane between Farrel Drive and Fitzpatrick Drive.
The parcel is one of the last tracts of undeveloped land in the city and local officials seriously considered purchasing it a few years ago.
A formal application has not been submitted.
However, David S. Bjorklund, an engineer, submitted 14 maps to Ansonia City Hall June 23 showing the subdivision. Bjorklund and developer Michael Massimino of Branford appeared at the June 27 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission to test the waters.
Massimino has a contract to purchase the land if he gets a development approved.
The June 2 preliminary plan shows spaces for 31 houses to be built on a cul-de-sac. However, the map discussed June 27 shows space for 36 houses.
The land in question received local approvals for 36 houses in 2006 under another developer. It was to be called “Twin Oaks.” The deal fell apart when the economy tanked.
The 2006 proposal was met with opposition from neighbors. The latest plan proposes a “cluster” development — that is, houses on smaller lots, which preserves more open space.
The houses would run parallel to Farrel Drive and be built behind existing houses on Farrel Drive.
When told about the possibility of a new application, neighbors on Farrel Drive said they didn’t want to see the woods disappear.
Ansonia had been looking at buying the property some years ago, but the asking price of just under $2 million was too high, according to Board of Alderman president Stephen Blume
Farrel Drive resident Henry Jemioto, 76, has lived on Farrel Drive with his wife, Sandra, since 1965.
He was sorry the city didn’t purchase the land and preserve it as open space. The trees behind their property would likely be cut down for the new lots.
“We enjoyed woods behind our home for all those years, it was like living in the country,” Jemioto said.
Jemioto, the former principal at the Irving School in Derby, said the new families in the development would likely force Ansonia to hire more teachers, increasing the property taxes.
Both said they would “definitely” attend public hearings on the matter, if and when a formal application is submitted.
Farrel Drive resident Dominic Cusano, 57, hoped any the new houses would lower his tax bill.
“Because if it doesn’t I’m going to move out of Ansonia anyways,” Cusano said.
Claire Andrews, 69, of Fitzpatrick Drive, said the fact that this plan had more open space wouldn’t change her opposition to the development.
“There’s no place for the animals to go,” Andrews said.
According to the June 27 meeting minutes, Bjorklund left the meeting saying that he would submit a revised site plan.
Massimino, the developer, declined comment Tuesday. He asked the Valley Indy to check back in a month.
Bjorklund said Tuesday he’ll huddle with Massimino in August to see where the project stands.
