Politics & Government

Current Board to Endorse Tax Abatement Ordinance

The Board of Selectmen will take action on the proposed and recently amended legislation on March 1.

Monday evening's Board of Selectman meeting heard only brief discussion on the proposed and recently amended Darien Tax Abatement Ordinance for Low and Moderate Income Housing. At Acting First Selectman David Bayne's suggestion, the four-member board decided to table its vote on the controversial ordinance until March 1.

"I'm happy to entertain a discussion but delay the vote for Dave Campbell. I think it's important to send a definitive message to the RTM."

Representative Town Meeting members continue to debate the necessity of the ordinance, first brought before the previous Board of Selectmen at the request of the Darien Housing Authority as it relates to the redevelopment project at Allen O'Neill. Where some consider it a constructive tool: a means of helping developers get expensive affordable housing developments off the ground when rents are particularly low, others say adopting said legislation is unprecedented for a small Connecticut town like Darien; moreover, they say that with the latest amendment, which gives the Board of Finance more than an advisory role, an application could gain considerable momentum before its final stop at the RTM.

"That could pressure us to be a rubber stamp," said Elisabeth Bacon (District II) at an RTM Rules Committee meeting last Monday.

Where Campbell has spoken in support of the proposed legislation and subsequent amendment, his current board has not formally voted on the ordinance, hence Monday evening's agenda item. Monday's vote was tabled to March 1, a move Bayne hopes will bring unanimous approval from the Board of Selectmen.

Selectman Jayme Stevenson admits she is still conflicted.

"I am still conflicted about the need for this ordinance," Stevenson said. "I want to say publicly that my affirmative vote on an ordinance does not necessarily mean I would approve any abatement application that is put forward."

Bayne concurred.

"I think that's true for all of us," he said. "It would be premature for anyone to presume we would vote in favor of a particular contract."

The ordinance is really just a tool that allows the town to consider granting a tax abatement, said Bayne; and an important one to add to the toolbox, given financial assistance from the state may be hard to come by in the future.

"It looks like pilot money from the state will be going away. I'd at least like to be able to have the conversation," he said.

Selectman Callie Sullivan reiterated Bayne's sentiment:

"I think we all have reasons to be in support of this, but I don't think we need to keep discussing if it Dave is not here."

The Board of Selectmen will discuss and take action on the Affordable Housing Tax Abatement Ordinance and proposed amendment on March 1, two weeks prior to the RTM's reconsideration of the legislation on March 15.


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