The situation began several years ago when lifelong farmer Walter Hine sold his familiar corn fields on Route 34 to a developer. Town officials had attempted to obtain state funds to aid purchase of the land as open space. When that didn't work out, bulldozers quickly began leveling the parcel. An affordable senior housing proposal was introduced and senior residents were enthusiastic about the idea of a nice place to live with the convenience of shopping areas and restaurants just down the road.
The proposal depends upon sewer installation and the TPZC's approval of a cul-de-sac on the property. At the last TPZC meeting, the commission voted 3-2 along party lines in favor of allowing the cul-de-sac, but the motion failed because a majority vote of 4-1 was required. The two Democrats on the commission voted against the cul-de-sac.
Resulting assertions that the town's Democrats are "against seniors" has prompted some senior residents to speak out against the Democrats. One lifelong resident, 88, who asked not to be identified, accused the Democrats of refusing to approve the housing because they think it is a Republican proposal. She said they are being unfair, thinking only of themselves and ignoring the senior residents' needs. "They don't want seniors in town," she said. "We're not welcome in Orange."
Paul Tarbox, Democratic candidate for first selectman, said the proposal is being disguised as affordable senior housing but it is neither affordable nor a "senior" community. "This development, with 142 units on only 36 acres, is an active adult community and it will not address the true needs of our senior residents," Tarbox said. "All of our current senior housing is for individuals [age] 62 and over. This proposal includes a regulation change that lowers the age to 55 in order for the developer to get top dollar for the units [by selling] to those with larger base incomes.
While some seniors believe the proposal would afford Orange residents a new senior housing development, Tarbox points out that anyone can move into the units. "The developer has acknowledged that federal law would prohibit any preference being provided to Orange residents," Tarbox said. "The first selectman cannot guarantee that this proposal will even result in one current Orange resident on a fixed income being able to sell their home and acquire one of these units at an affordable price." He said the homes would start at $400,000 to $500,000, when the median sales price of a home in Orange in 2005 was $387,000.
"A senior in Orange looking to sell his or her home to take equity out of it and reduce his or her taxes is not buying one of these units," he said. "These homes will be attractive to, let's say, seniors in Westport, where the median sales price of a home in 2005 was in excess of $1 million."
In addition, Tarbox spoke against the potential negative effect the sewer connection would have on the town. "The town will be in a weak position to deny a multi-family housing application that conforms to state statute after approving a sewer district on the west side of town," he said. "The chances of additional multi-family housing being constructed in Orange along Route 34 will increase dramatically."
Orange First Selectman James Zeoli said the TPZC had to vote on the cul-de-sac because the proposed version was longer than current regulations would allow. The problem lies with the way the proposal was presented, he said.
He said the TPZC members are a qualified team elected by the voters, and he was sure they would make the right decision. "I would hope that all involved would do what's best for residents," Zeoli said. "They discussed the amendments to the plan, but the vote didn't reflect the comments
Source: Amity Observer