Planning commission continues 129 Hamilton Ave assisted‑housing review pending will‑serve letter and financing clarity

The Planning & Zoning Commission continued the public hearing for a proposed 3‑unit assisted housing conversion at 129 Hamilton Ave under Connecticut General Statute 8‑30g, asking the applicant to supply additional documentation and to clarify financing contingencies.

Applicant representatives said the proposal converts an existing two‑family into a three‑family assisted housing development and that architectural recalculations have been made to show ‘livable’ floor area graphic definitions for each unit. Commissioners pressed for floor‑plan graphics that distinguish mechanical and common spaces (for example, the building’s shared mechanical room and stairs) and asked the architect to show clearly what was counted as habitable area for each unit. The commission also asked for a will‑serve letter from utilities to confirm health and safety services before the land‑use decision can be finalized.

Members discussed the Affordable Housing Trust Fund’s minutes, which record that the Trust requested commission approval before the Trust considers financing. Commissioners asked the applicant to say how they would proceed if Trust financing were not awarded — whether the applicant would convert to a set‑aside or pursue other options — and to return with an explicit plan once the Trust has acted.

Public comment included support for adding more units to town housing stock and observations about long housing waiting lists. The commission scheduled a continuation to the July 7 meeting to allow the applicant to provide the requested will‑serve letter, the livable‑area graphics, and clarity on Trust financing.