New Canaan commission holds public hearing on proposed downtown hotel; delays decision after neighbor agreement surfaces

The New Canaan Planning & Zoning Commission on Nov. 18 heard detailed testimony, consultant reviews and public comment on Windward Development’s proposal to redevelop 39 and 49–51 Locust Avenue into a mixed-use hotel with retail and below-grade parking. The commission did not vote and closed the public hearing to allow staff and town counsel to review neighbor-submitted requests and draft conditions for a December meeting.

Neighbors who live in the adjacent Heritage Square condominium, represented by attorney Joel Green, told the commission they had negotiated a draft set of commitments with the developer but were informed at the last minute that the developer would not sign prior to the commission acting. Mark Welsheimer, an owner at Heritage Square, said the community expects “substantive points” from the draft agreement to be incorporated either as enforceable conditions or otherwise memorialized to protect residents during construction and operation.

Traffic and civil reviews

The commission’s peer reviewers said the project’s traffic impacts are modest. Steve Cipolla,…