#MiddleburyCT #SouthfordPark #EDC
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
At a special meeting Monday, October 30, the Middlebury Economic Development Commission (EDC) continued its review of the architectural plans for the Southford Park project. After hearing further responses from several project representatives, it voted to approve its report to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) in time for the November 2 P&Z meeting. That report, released after the meeting, states the EDC does not recommend this project.
The report’s cover memo to P&Z states EDC members had “considerable concerns” about the suitability of the project and its potential for negative impacts on the town’s economy and development. It noted the project’s design does not conform to the architectural guidelines developed by the EDC, overshadows rather than blends in with its neighborhood, and compromises the town’s traditional character. It said the project also exceeds height restrictions, doesn’t align with the definition of “warehousing” and may violate state law. It described as “alarming issues” traffic, questionable tax benefits and adverse effects on property values, all of which it said “could significantly undermine the town’s economic wellbeing.”
The EDC considered this project during three meetings on October 2, 23 and 30 and during an October 16 workshop. The memo states the scope and complexity of the project necessitated that number of meetings. During these meetings, the EDC met with project representatives professional engineer Ryan McEvoy, architect Anthony Iacovino and attorney Edward (Ned) Fitzpatrick. At the October 30 meeting, Fitzpatrick asked EDC Chairman Terry McAuliffe to confirm the EDC served in an advisory capacity. McAuliffe said that was the case. This means the EDC recommendation has no legal weight. How much weight it carries with P&Z may become apparent at its November 2 meeting.
A more detailed article on the EDC report will follow the November 2 P&Z meeting. Those who would like to read the full 11-page report can find it attached to the October 30, 2023, meeting minutes at tinyurl.com/y34mj5xe. Note: This URL works with the Chrome browser, but Edge seems to reject it.
