On Monday, March 11, between 4:30 and 5:30 PM, neighbors and
residents who will be affected by a proposed zoning change, will gather on the
corners of High Street and Washington Streets in Middletown to demonstrate
against a proposed zoning change.
If the proposed zone change is passed, and planned
development takes place, the planned development will cause serious traffic
issues, destroy a historic neighborhood, and lower the value of neighborhood
properties.
Route 66 was recently declared one of the most unsafe
highways in Connecticut. Residents and
opponents of the proposes zone change feel that the resulting development will
put the roadway in virtual gridlock nearly every day. What’s more, residents feel that vehicular
and pedestrian hazards will increase, and that deadly accidents will be the
result.
Neighbors have organized around the proposed change of the
MX Zone in Middletown. Local developer,
Centerplan, has proposed a commercial development on Washington and Pearl
Streets, including high-volume restaurants with drive-thru windows. In order to facilitate development,
Centerplan has proposed a zone change with a special exception that will make
it easier for such a development to go forward.
On February 27, more than 150 residents jammed a Planning
and Zoning Commission meeting to protest the change. Forty residents offered evidence that the
zone change will be detrimental to neighborhoods, to Middletown’s character as
a New England destination, and to the important gateways into the city. In addition, traffic and safety issues are a
major concern.
On March 13, the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at
7 PM in Middletown’s City Hall to deliberate and vote on the proposed change.
JAMMING THE BRAKES ON
RECKLESS DEVELOPMENT, MONDAY MARCH 11, 4:30-5:30 PM, CORNERS OF WASHINGTON
AND HIGH STREETS, MIDDLETOWN, CT.
3 comments:
Honestly, continuing to refer to it as a "strip mall" is purposely misleading and only meant to incite people. The regulation does not permit a strip mall. It would have to be more urban, with buildings along the sidewalk. There are numerous good examples of quality urban in-fill projects. Why don't you focus on requiring a good design there instead of merely trying to obstruct. You may end up with a used car lot there, currently permitted by the zoning code.
Hi Anon @ 9:31 am,
I also thought that the new code did not allow "strip malls", but in fact it does.
For example, on a closer reading of the code itself, I learned that it DOES allow parking alongside and in front of the buildings if it's not possible to fit it all behind the building - and if the developer can show that it makes things better for pedestrians (a completely toothless clause, as it is entirely subjective.)
The code encourages assembling multiple properties, demolishing them and constructing large buildings in their place. That's how a developer could take advantage of the new commercial uses - otherwise the properties are generally too small, with very few exceptions.
The only requirement in the code which might dispute the "strip mall" label is the requirement for 2 stories - but there are actually lots of strip malls that have 2 stories and it does not make it "urban". For example, the Fox Run mall in Glastonbury.
-Jen Alexander
I agree with anonymous 9:31 am. This could turn out to be much worse than a "strip mall". You have to look at the big picture of those who own the property and those who are interesting in developing the property.
I know a number want nothing to be done. Why don't you pool your money together and buy the properties and then you can do what you want with it.
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