Not Your Average Housing Development
The Cherenzia development proposed on Mary Hall and Greenhaven roads is not your average housing development. Normally, we think of a subdivision as land carved up into building lots, roads following an existing landscape and houses situated within that existing landscape.
To understand the Cherenzia project, picture a commercial site such as Stop and Shop on Route 2. To prepare such a site, the developer clear cuts all trees, strips the land of its topsoil, blasts any rock in their way and levels the area. Now they have their industrial building pad.
Posted on the website today are three site plans derived from the Ledge Removal Plan submitted by Cherenzia to the the Stonington Planning Department as part of their application. Unfortunately, I have only an 11” x 17” to work with. The usual 2’ by 3’ version is not in the packet.
To read more, click on “Site Plan-Blasting & Filling” under LOOP LINKS TO CHECK OUT at the left of your screen. We apologize in advance for the side-ways format of the documents.
Is This the Right Site for High Density Housing?
At the public hearing on June 7, 2011, a Planning and Zoning commissioner asked why the acreage on Greenhaven and Mary Hall roads was the “right site” for a high-density condo/townhouse development.
Mr. Ligouri, Cherenzia’s attorney and spokesperson, gave two responses. First, the site is “the largest RM 20 site available ... and a site that has public water and sewer available.”
Then Mr. Ligouri cited the 2004 Plan of Conservation and Development as his second reason. I’m quoting him loosely here but my notes have him saying:
“The Plan supports such a development. The regulations say such development should occur in this community. This is probably the only site [where it could be built.]”
I have a moment of guilt. Am I being a NIMBY, insisting that a proposed development is bad, not on its merits or demerits, but only because the development is sited in my backyard? Am I allowing my own self-interests to cloud my civic judgment?
