Thoughts on “State funding for Wallingford zoning plan may be in jeopardy”

I have a cross post over on my other blog with respect to an article that ran in the Record Journal Wednesday December 9, 2009 regarding Wallingford Incentive Hous­ing Zone and how the state funding for it is now at risk.

The full story is cross posted at State funding for Wallingford zoning plan may be in jeopardy if you want to read all the details.

The summary of the information as reported is:

• The HOMEConnecticut Program is a state program run through the Office of Policy and Management
• It pays towns up to $4,000 for every housing unit in high-density housing zones
• Un­der the program, municipalities are eligible to receive $2,000 for every housing unit approved within the zones and another $2,000 for each unit that is actually built.
• Wallingford’s proposed Incentive Housing Zone is about 23.3 acres
• It includes some of the sections of Hall Avenue, Quinnipiac Street and the intersection of North Colony and Center streets
• It is an overlay of the town’s current zoning regulations for these areas
• The area as outlined would allow for a maxi­mum of 361 housing units.
• This high-density, mixed-use re­tail and housing is similar to West Hart­ford’s Blue Back Square
• If it is fully developed the town could be receiving $1.44 million in incen­tive payments
• Governor Rell wants to use the money from the program to cut the state’s budget deficit.

So with these highlights of information – should Wallingford move ahead with the plans despite, perhaps, not getting the money from the HOMEConnecticut Program if Governor Rell does in fact pull the funding to try to cut the state’s budget deficit?

My thoughts are we should still go forward with our plans. We should still try to pursue the funds if they are available but we should plan on moving ahead without them.

There is much to be gained in trying to bring forward some uniformity of the buildings downtown as part of encouraging some additional investment and development of our downtown.

The old Knights of Columbus land now has new housing on it and I think that is a nice little gem that could be added to if we continue to pursue the entire plan.

If I remember correctly, all of these townhouse units are sold and there is another small set being planned for a little further down the street.

Available housing to purchase downtown (not rent as we have with all the apartments there currently) may bring more demand to the existing businesses there and due to the increased demand of occupied homes it may allow for more businesses to establish themselves.

It will certainly bring more foot traffic from those residents that currently and will call those new places yet to be built, home.

Add all that with the potential of (someday) having a Metro North type commuter rail from New Haven to Springfield Mass and you just amplify the possibilities.

There are always other sides to the story – what are your thoughts?

Technorati Tags: HOMEConnecticut Program,Incentive Housing Zone,State funding,Wallingford,zoning