Council approves 7‑year tax deferral to advance 79‑unit senior housing project

The Danbury City Council voted on June 5 to approve a seven‑year assessment deferral that the city’s ad hoc committee recommended to support a proposed 79‑unit senior housing project on the former police lot.

The move followed public comment from longtime resident Lynn Waller and applicant Jim Maloney, who outlined project goals and financing. Waller urged the council to make the housing available to Danbury residents; Maloney said the project would target low and moderate‑income seniors, with roughly 80% of units subsidized and roughly 20% market‑rate, and estimated long‑term property tax benefits to the city.

Council members questioned how the project will prioritize local residents, the effect on emergency services and the timing of the abatement trigger. Maloney said the federal funding rules bar limiting tenants by municipality, “but as a practical matter” Danbury applicants will be notified first and given early access to waiting lists. He told the council he expects financing to be completed in 2025, construction to begin in 2026 and the building to be fully leased in 2027.

Council members pressed for specifics. The applicant said the project includes about 18 two‑bedroom units and a two‑story garage with roughly 110 parking spaces; the 7‑year abatement is triggered by the first grand list date after final certificates of occupancy and planning director certification. The council’s director of senior services said she can provide an inventory of existing senior buildings and units upon request.

Supporters argued the project boosts the city’s supply of affordable senior housing and helps Danbury meet statutory housing thresholds used in planning and zoning. Opponents raised process and financial concerns; one councilmember said the city would be forgoing near‑term tax revenue and asked whether rents or other costs could shift to tenants when the abatement ends. The applicant said rents would be constrained by federal subsidy rules and by efforts to obtain Section 8 certificates as the project rents up.

Motion and vote: Councilman Salvatore moved to adopt the ad hoc recommendation approving the assessment‑deferral agreement subject to the applicant’s conditions; the motion was seconded. Council recorded one opposing vote; the mayor announced the motion carried.

What’s next: The agreement includes performance and timing conditions (completion of improvements by 07/01/2028 in the agreement language and potential one‑year extension by the planning director). City staff and counsel will finalize administrative details and track compliance with the abatement triggers and reporting requirements.