Letter: 'In Support of Bob Hebert For State Representative'

Editor,

I am writing to urge support for Bob Hebert for State representative. We need Bob in Hartford now more than ever. Aside from serious problems with high taxes, crime, poor business climate, poor job growth, underfunded and unreformed pensions, one party rule corruption, and threats of school regionalization – the state of Connecticut’s affordable housing law (8-30g) is out of control.

The proposed affordable housing project at 751 Weed St in New Canaan is insane. It’s a five-story 102-unit behemoth apartment building in the middle of a single family, low-density residential neighborhood. It’s only a matter of time before one of these monstrosities shows up on Main Street in Ridgefield, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. 8-30g overrides zoning and historic district regulations. Clearly, developers have lost all restraint. They seem to be proposing maximalist projects with no concession to sound planning, good design, or community character. But, who can blame them? That’s what the law allows. Most appallingly, despite a proposal (SB169) by suburban legislators to study 8-30g, the leadership in Hartford refused to even vote on the measure. It appears nothing would make them happier than to see Ridgefield overrun by huge apartment buildings.

To make matters worse, all of Ridgefield’s current state legislators voted to amend the state Zoning Enabling Act last year, to make it easier for housing activists to sue Ridgefield. It is an open question whether the lawsuit just filed by the Open Communities Alliance against the town of Woodbridge, regarding this very issue, will be the judicial backdoor to implementing New Jersey style Fair Share Housing quotas. The last thing we need to do is go down that path. There are better ways forward.

No question affordable housing is a critical issue and more needs to be done. Encouragingly, the town just recently enacted, on its own initiative and without state prodding, an innovative Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance and a Transit Orientated Development plan for the Branchville area.

Ridgefield needs a strong voice in Hartford for local control that will advocate for common sense housing solutions. That is why I support Bob Hebert for State Representative.

Tim Vilinskis

Olmstead Lane

Ridgefield, CT