Dear Editor:
The Roger Sherman Inn property on Oenoke is just 1.683 acres. Let’s loudly object to a high-density subdivision there. Six massive houses, plus an additional road, all crammed together, are inappropriate.
On Tuesday, Dec. 20, the Planning & Zoning Commission could permit an overlay zone that allows cluster housing on this beautiful road distinguished by its churches, historical society, nature center, houses with sweeping green lawns and historic lanes. It is crucial for town officials to preserve the bucolic countryside charm, the envy of every town nearby.
New Canaan is not a city. It is a village. Residents fervently object to density development encroaching into the countryside. The RSI property is not ‘in town.’ It is beyond the 750-yard designation.
The density of this planned development would degrade the semi-rural character of Oenoke Ridge. You are urged to talk or write the P&Z Commission and Town Planner Steve.Palmer@newcanaan.gov. Speak fervently at the hearing. Gather your neighbors. Write the papers. Hopefully, we can tell our grandkids that town officials met the challenge to preserve Oenoke and New Canaan’s grace and charm. This is the honorable decision. Residents now and into the future will praise and respect these decision makers for it.
Jane Vanderzee, Hampton Lane
You are so right, Jane!
Seven or eight 2,800 square feet houses, with attached 2-car garages, each on 1/5 of an acre in a 1 acre zone – with two paved streets to accommodate them – is absurd. No air, light, open space, lawns, play yards, terraces; sounds like city living to me, hardly the village we are dedicated to protect. If accepted here on our stately Oenoke Ridge, then where is the next acre to be despoiled with a flimsy excuse of making it “less non-conforming”?