Planning commission approves increase and reallocation of workforce housing units at Waterford Central

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously on July 23 to approve an increase in designated workforce (CHFA-monitored affordable) units at the Waterford Central development, raising the count from 18 to 44 and relocating 10 previously designated voluntary units from Waterford Woods Phase 1 into Waterford Central.

Kevin Daly, speaking for the development, characterized the move as housekeeping to ensure the units are deed-restricted and count toward the state’s affordable housing inventory under CHFA monitoring. He said deed restrictions and CHFA’s affordability plan will be recorded so the town receives state credit for the units. "So the town goes from having nothing to having 44," Daly said, summarizing the net change in state-countable units under the proposal.

Daly described the unit mix and delivery timeline: the final phase includes six buildings of 36 units each (216 units total across the final phase), and the 44 designated units will be allocated across buildings as they receive certificates of occupancy and are leased. He explained CHFA enforces model-based unit counts (one- and two-bedroom models such as "Grantville," "Quaker Hill," "Great Cove" and "Oak Grove") and that when a tenant incomes out, managers will reassign affordability to another identical unit so the required mix is maintained.

Commissioners asked whether the original 10 volunteered units counted as state-recognized affordable housing; staff and the presenter said the voluntary units were income-restricted and managed but did not have recorded deed restrictions or an affordability plan that would grant state credit. Commissioners also sought and received clarification that many of the Waterford Central buildings are under construction and that the designated units will become available as buildings are completed.

A motion adopting staff findings and approving the increase and relocation of the 44 workforce units (including the 10 relocated from Waterford Woods Phase 1) was moved, seconded and passed unanimously. The approval requires recording the deed restrictions and following CHFA monitoring requirements for the units to be counted at the state level.

During discussion Daly characterized CHFA’s labeling as "Workforce" rather than "affordable" as a naming choice; he also criticized the program politics in candid remarks about local employers pressuring the state. That characterization was presented as Daly’s view and not independently verified in the meeting record. The commission took no contrary action and the motion carried.