Officials in New Canaan may review a proposed affordable housing development even though the town currently has a temporary moratorium on new affordable housing construction.
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The proposal involves a 14-unit apartment building planned for 30 Parade Hill Road, with most units intended for residents earning below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
The project is being developed by Garden Homes Fund and The Housing Collective.
“Once completed, the intent here is to sell 30 Parade Hill below cost to an area housing nonprofit,” said Amy Souchans, the lawyer representing the developers.
Under Connecticut law, communities with less than 10% affordable housing stock cannot easily reject new affordable housing proposals.
The state’s Affordable Housing Land Use Appeals Procedure, introduced in 1989, was designed to encourage the construction of affordable housing in communities with limited supply.
Although New Canaan recently built several affordable developments and earned a four-year moratorium in 2024, the town may still have to review the Parade Hill proposal because of the project’s affordability levels and supportive housing component.
The development would include at least 11 affordable apartments, with the remaining units either designated as market-rate housing or converted into additional affordable units depending on the final plan.
Some apartments would be reserved for formerly homeless residents, according to David Rich, executive director of The Housing Collective.
“We carefully match families with developments and communities and provide wraparound services to ensure families not only thrive but become important contributing members of their neighborhood,” Rich said.
“Permanent supportive housing for the homeless only works if it works for the families, if it works for the building, it works for the neighborhood and for the larger community.”
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The development proposal is still in its early stages. Developers have delivered an initial presentation and plan to submit a revised proposal to the town’s planning board.
Daniel Radman said the proposal will likely require a full public hearing rather than an expedited approval process.
“Our purview is to protect the town, protect the town’s interest, protect the town’s safety and protect the integrity and feel of the town,” Radman said. “Since, according to the state, we can’t say ‘character,’ but we can say ‘feel.’ That’s our mission, and we’re more than willing to work with you. But there’s got to be some flexibility.”
If approved, the development would add additional affordable housing options in a town where availability remains limited despite recent construction efforts.
Originally reported by Abigail Brone | Connecticut Public in CT Mirror.
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