We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens of East Haven CT who urge our leaders to act now to deny the application for zoning change to an Affordable Housing District for 31, 63 and 100 Sperry Lane and 161 Foxon Road, East Haven CT. We want the land to remain zoned R5. (Considers all addresses used in the previous proposal) 

     The Bluffs LLC purchased the land comprised of over 50 acres, formerly owned by the Girl Scouts, known as Camp Murray.  The property borders East Haven High School, Residents on Foxon Road north bound to Sperry Lane & back as far as Borrelli Road. The owner/developer was aware at the time of purchase that the land was zoned R5 and they could build 50 single family homes on 50 one acre lots at the site. 

     In 2019 a new application was filed for the site to change the Zoning to an Affordable Housing District (also known as Section 8) with approximately 500 + Units.  This will more than double the existing affordable housing number in the Town of East Haven. (Currently the town has 458 Affordable Housing Units) The massive size and scope of this project will not only change the surrounding area but the town as a whole.

This Zoning Change will:

a.     Increase taxes because family housing will increase the enrollment in the education system.

b.     Greatly impact the home prices in the surrounding area due to the size and scope of the project.

c.     Allow blasting of rock at the site. The land is comprised of a significant amount of rock. This will affect the surrounding homes and their foundations.  We do not want blasting or a quarry at the site.

d.     Exacerbate the existing watershed issues in the area with the close proximity to the Farm River, potentially impacting the surrounding areas with flooding. 

e.     Increase the strain on the local Police and Fire Departments. Currently there is a Volunteer Fire Department in Foxon.

f.      Increase the traffic with approximately 1.54 cars per person for parking to meet the ADA (American with Disability Act) requirements.  770 Parking Spaces will be needed to accommodate 500 Units.

g.     In addition, there is an anticipated significant change to the existing traffic pattern to hit Foxon Road within ¼ mile of the site. The Totoket Road Project (Snake Hill) is nearing completion and will now be able accommodate tractor trailer traffic as a cut through from Route1 and I 95 to Route 80 (commonly known as Foxon Road).  This will significantly impact the surrounding area. 

     We cannot stress enough that this type of change to the Zoning even if the size and scope of the project is made smaller it will continuously allow developers to add units throughout the course of time.  Down the line they can further develop the land to accommodate PEFD (Planned Elderly Facilities District) and more affordable Housing. We want the land to remain zoned R5. Allowing the owner and developer to build 50 single family homes on 50 one acre lots at the site. 

Brief History

Previously beginning in 2017 there have applications submitted to the East Haven Planning and Zoning Commission. Initially the proposal was to change the zoning from R-5 to R-3 with a second application to overlay PEFD (Planned Elderly Facilities District) this application also included blasting at the site. The proposal had 415 units with 647 parking spaces (with a provision for an additional 222 parking spaces).  Main access Road would be Sperry Lane and a creation of an access at 161 Foxon Road. There were total of 6 Buildings (Information is outlined in the Jan. 3, 2018 P&Z Minutes). There were letters numerous resident letters read at the public hearing. There were also letters read from both the Police Chief and Fire Chief stating they would not support this proposal due to the limitations and additional stress on their respective departments. This motion was denied on March 14, 2018 without prejudice.