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Residents raise traffic, character and affordability concerns at Suffield TCVD hearing
Summary
Several Suffield residents urged the Planning & Zoning Commission to require more durable affordability terms, asked for traffic and environmental impact analysis, and said the proposed density change could alter the Town Center's character; the hearing on the zoning amendment was continued to Aug. 17, 2026.
When the public-comment portion of the continued public hearing opened, multiple residents described worries that the proposed Town Center Village District density change could strain local infrastructure and change the character of the Town Center.
Jason Fontaine (29 Fox Mead) requested more detail about infrastructure impacts; Nick Cioffi (19 Redstone Road) urged careful site-plan review and raised concerns about tax effects and possible environmental remediation; Mike Hopkins (39 Willow Creek) objected to potential traffic increases and to changes in Town Center character; and Brian Benito (821 Boston Neck Road) said he was concerned about density but supported the proposed affordable housing element and recommended extending the affordability deed restriction from 10 years to 20 years. Sarah Fontaine (29 Fox Mead) said she feared the proposal would significantly change the Town's character.
Commissioners acknowledged the public concerns and discussed possible changes to the draft text — including basing density on developable acreage rather than gross acreage and increasing affordability requirements — before voting to continue the hearing to allow more documentation and potential revisions.
