408 Units Proposed in Rural North Stonington

Residents of rural North Stonington are concerned about a proposal to build 408 units of affordable housing off Boom Bridge Road, an area of quiet country roads with more stone walls, corn, and cows than people.  That many housing units, in a town with a total population of only about 5000, is a lot of real estate and will certainly have an impact, mostly negative.  The State of Connecticut recommends that 10% of a towns housing stock meet affordable housing guidelines.  North Stonington doesn't even come close and as a result, the project cannot be easily denied by the zoning commission.  The commission must prove that the reason for denial outweighs the need for affordable housing.  Brace yourself.  I believe this will be a long drawn out battle reminiscent of the local fight over annexation.

For the record: I recognize the need for affordable housing in the area and support efforts in that regard. I don't live in North Stonington, so I don't have a NIMBY (Not in my back yard) opinion. I'm a realtor so normally I support development. To me the debate is about density and not affordable housing. I think the residents in North Stonington should have a say as to whether their town remains rural.

Yes, I'm on the side of the cows.