Board needs more info to hear plan for housing
"There is no guarantee this application will even be finished on June 16." - Ken Bressi chairman Jackson Planning Board
BY DENNIS JORDAN Correspondent

JACKSON - Residents who believed they would have a chance to speak about a plan to build affordable housing in the community during an April 7 meeting of the Planning Board did not have the opportunity to do so.

The board postponed hearing additional testimony on the Windsor Crescent application until its June 16 meeting.

Residents who filled the meeting room were told they would have to wait until the board meets on June 16 to air any grievances they may have about the affordable housing project that has been proposed as a way of bringing Jackson into compliance with state Council on Affordable Housing regulations.

The first hearing about Windsor Crescent - a proposed complex that would consist of 14 buildings and 112 affordable rental units on Solar Avenue off County Line Road - was held in February.

Last week the board granted the extension of time to attorney Lou Felicetta, who is representing Community Investment Services (CIS), the developer of the proposed project.

In an April 4 letter to the Planning Board, CIS requested the application be carried over for the June 16 meeting. Felicetta asked for the application to be carried over so CIS could have sufficient time to provide data and information that the board members and board professionals requested regarding their initial studies relating to the project.

CIS provided a traffic impact study of the project along with an environmental impact study and a tree save plan, but the information fell short of the board's approval. Additional information has been requested.

"This board is good about getting full information," board member Todd Porter said. "They (CIS) felt that there were no concerns with the information they provided us. We don't play any games."

Afiscal impact statement and a real estate evaluation report are also expected to become part of the application.

When asked by board Chairman Ken Bressi if CIS would have all the requested information and be ready to answer the public's concerns by the June 16 meeting, Felicetta said, "Absolutely."

Bressi addressed the crowded council room and explained the board's decision to carry over the application.

"All the data must be submitted before we make a decision," Bressi said. "Nothing else will happen with this application until June 16."

Despite listening to several people who demanded to be heard, Bressi said he would not allow public comment on the Windsor Crescent application until the June 16 meeting, saying that public comment at the present time "would be inappropriate."

Bressi informed those in attendance that the June 16 meeting might not be the last the public hears about Windsor Crescent.

"There is no guarantee this application will even be finished on June 16," he said.

Attorney John Russo, who represents Jackson on affordable housing issues, tried to assuage the residents' feelings about not being allowed to speak that evening.

"I will be present on June 16," Russo said. "We will address all these issues at that time."