Bite Sized Politics: Pulling the Plug on 35 Leroy

THE ISSUE:

The story of "35 Leroy" dates back to 2007, when the Representative Town Meeting approved the purchase of the $4.2 million former library property, and the then Board of Selectmen decided to use the land for affordable housing.

Affordable housing, said the former board, is the best use of the property as the only physically, legally and financially permissible option. Moreover, they said, such a development would help Darien attain points towards a first and second four-year moratorium from 8-30g, a state mandate that allows developers to put up denser-than-usual projects, in towns where less than 10 percent of the housing stock is affordable.

Last August saw the board approve the Option to Lease at 35 Leroy Ave., a roughly two-year agreement that allows developer Mutual Housing Association (MHA) to approve land use and secure financing for the development—both necessary but not sufficient steps to drafting a Ground Lease.

Since then, much has changed.

Approval of the Garden Homes development may well bring Darien its first moratorium, and under new administration, plans for affordable housing at 35 Leroy Ave. have been derailed.

The latest proposition, set forth in First Selectman Dave Campbell's three-phase municipal building shuffle, moves senior-affordable housing to the Senior Center site at Edgerton Street, and sets 35 Leroy's fate as office space for Board of Education.

Studying that proposition for the past two months has been the Facilities Study Task Force, who, in a formal recommendation approved in late February, urged the Board of Selectmen to resolve the disposition of the property at 35 Leroy Ave. before moving forward with any aspect of the plan.

That resolution came but a week later, in an arguably historic three to two vote Monday evening, whereby the Board of Selectmen moved to cancel the replacement for the Option to Lease at 35 Leroy Ave. with a Ground Lease, ending a near three-year debate over the property's fate.

SELECTMEN ON THE ISSUE:

Selectman David Bayne (D)

My vote tonight against canceling the Option reflects my belief that the Board of Selectmen have an obligation to take a long-range view of the affordable housing issue and to begin preparing for "the day after" the expiration of the first moratorium, when 8-30g again presents a threat to Darien's homeowners.

First Selectman Dave Campbell (R)

We've been kicking this horse around for a few years. It was never a popular affordable housing plan; that's why there was the Option. Allen O'Neill is the result of the panic of getting to points; that whole thing is too big and too aggressive. It's time to step back and look at what's right for Darien.

Selectman Jerry Nielsen (R)

I am going to vote in favor of canceling the replacement of the Option. I just have a real problem with a $4.2 million property being used for only 21 units of affordable housing. I think there are more active uses for the site that can benefit the town, and more appropriate sites for affordable housing.

Selectman Jayme Stevenson (R)

I too am going to vote in favor of not moving forward. I feel as though the affordable housing plan for Darien is an every-changing entity. New projects and new ideas have come before the town, and I do not think that 35 Leroy is—by any means—the lynch pin to Darien's affordable housing needs.

Selectman Callie Sullivan (D)

I am against voting to terminate affordable housing plans at 35 Leroy for five reasons:

1. We haven't spoken to MHA or the neighbors
2. We have not yet viewed the Affordable Housing Plan
3. The RTM's 35 Leroy Study Group hasn't completed its study
4. The Task Force hasn't put down basic numbers of long-term costs
5. Darien will be viewed as making affordable housing decisions in a knee-jerk fashion