By James Lomuscio
A planned group home for the developmentally disabled next to the Saugatuck Elementary School (SES) tonight brought cheers from town officials and concerns from neighbors at a Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting.
The new owner of 136 Riverside Ave. plans to turn it into a home for developmentally disabled adults. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
In the end the commission voted unanimously to give a positive report on what is known as an 8-24, requested by First Selectman Jim Marpe, to sell the town-owned, 1882-built Queen Anne home at 136 Riverside Ave. for $615,000.
According to former Selectwoman Hellen Garten, who made tonight’s request on behalf of the administration, the town had purchased the home on .55 acres in 2000 with plans for school and town use.
A parking lot was built behind it, and the building housed a school system technology center.
Last year, after the school system relocated the technology center, Schools Superintendent Coleen Palmer, working with town officials, decided to sell property for moneys to help the Board of Education grapple with budget cuts and expenses.
It went on the market for $550,000, and local developer David Waldman became the highest bidder with $615,000.
Waldman, a principal behind the Bedford Square project among a number of other redevelopments town, served up a plan very personal to him and different from any of his other projects — a group home for developmentally disabled adults.
The residents would be under the supervision of a caregiver, who would also live there.
Waldman tonight said he has a developmentally disabled adult child, and that the home would offer six such adults, including his own child, to remain in town, become active members of the community and develop independence.
“I think it’s an outstanding proposal,” said P & Z member Chip Stephens. “ … I applaud Mr. Waldman for his work.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Commissioner Al Gratrix chimed in, adding that when the town buys property, “We are lousy landlords.”
Initially, comments from the public were laudatory. Board of Education member Karen Klein called it “a great win-win,” adding that “maybe some of the residents could work in the school.”
Nearby neighbors had a different view, saying that the house should return to being a single-family home.
“I understand the enthusiasm of the town,” Lawrence B. Tirreno, who lives across the street at 137 Riverside Ave. “What is being proposed is a boardinghouse with seven adults.”
He also said that the high-speed traffic and history of accidents along Riverside Avenue would not be an appropriate place for developmentally disabled adults.
Ann Driscoll, a retired preschool teacher who has lived at 130 Riverside Ave. for 58 years, also said the home should be sold to a single family.
She also worried about increased activity in the area since the house being between two elementary schools, SES and Kings Highway Elementary across SES’s expansive field.
“I feel young children will be put at risk with this house abutting two schools,” Driscoll said, adding that she would welcome senior housing at the house instead.
