Council accepts developer proposal as community garden relocation debate continues

The New London City Council on March 3 accepted the administrative item connected to a proposed Habitat for Humanity housing project on a parcel currently used as a community garden, declining an amendment that would have referred the matter to the Public Works and Public Welfare committee.

The item matters because gardeners said they have invested years and soil into the plot and asked the city for a written plan guaranteeing relocation assistance, while the mayor and other councilors said the site would be used for housing that serves the city’s affordable housing goals.

Mayor Passaro said the city is working with Habitat for Humanity on a proposal that would create six units — three two-family structures with homeownership opportunities — and stressed the council’s larger neighborhood investments, including a planned $3 million third phase of William Street corridor improvements and new park work around Bridal Brook. “It is certainly only being moved for a much, believe a much higher use,” the mayor said, noting Riverside Park and other open space nearby.

Councilor Sadi proposed an amendment to accept the item for the record and refer it to Public Works and Public Welfare so the council and staff could develop a written plan, a memorandum of understanding and timelines for relocating the garden and for addressing potential losses of soil, plants and volunteer time. “The reason for my amendment is that we can slow us down a little bit, get more input in a work slash public welfare committee,” Sadi said.

That amendment failed on a 4-2 vote. Opponents of the referral — including Councilor Dice and President Pro Tempek — argued the city risks undermining developer financing and delaying an opportunity to add affordable housing. “There’s no slowing down when you’re dealing with a developer. Money’s on the line,” the mayor said. Councilor Dice and President Pro Tempek said they supported Habitat because of the organization’s track record and the need for homeownership opportunities in New London.

Several gardeners and supporters had urged the council to require written commitments before any move, asking for a memorandum of understanding to document compensation for direct and indirect financial losses and to secure irrigation and soil transfer plans. Council members who supported the referral said those concerns merited formal study; those who opposed the referral said staff and the mayor can work with Fresh and Riverside Conservancy to relocate the garden without delaying the conveyance.

After the amendment failed, the council voted to accept the administrative item for the record; council members did not convey title at the meeting. Director of Law Lonergan said any subsequent conveyance or property transfer to Habitat for Humanity would require a future council vote.

The council did not adopt a binding memorandum of understanding with garden organizers at the meeting; gardeners told the council they had spent years cultivating plots and wanted assurances about timelines and reimbursement for materials and labor. The mayor said staff would continue to work with the gardeners and community partners on relocation but emphasized that the specific transfer of title to Habitat would need to proceed on schedule to preserve developer financing.

Next steps: the mayor’s office and staff are to continue negotiations with Habitat and community partners; any deed conveyance or property transfer will return to the council for a vote. Garden organizers asked for a formal written plan and a memorandum of understanding to be in place before relocation occurs.