Plum Tree: Honesty and Facts Over Misinformation and Politics

I was raised to believe in honesty and transparency.  As First Selectman, I will always be straightforward with Easton residents.  There have been a lot of passions and misinformation circulating online regarding a proposed high-density development on Plum Tree Lane in both Easton and Trumbull consisting of seventy units.  I believe in educating voters with clear, factual updates about this proposal and how this process works—not stoking fear among residents for political gain.

My Position on Plum Tree:

I am strongly against high-density development of any kind in Easton.  I am firmly against this proposed development.  Let me be clear that when I say that I am for ‘Preservation with Progress,’ progress does NOT mean residential or commercial development of any kind.  ‘Progress’ means a renovated EMS building, upgraded radios for our emergency services, improved recreational facilities (i.e. pickle ball courts), an expanded library, and continued investment in our schools’ infrastructure.  As First Selectman, I would use all the powers at my disposal to fight this or any similar project.

Proposed Project’s Current Status:

The Plum Tree project is far from final.  It will require approval for sewer hookup by the Water Pollution Control Authorities of both Trumbull and Bridgeport.  It will then need approval by the Inland Wetlands boards in both Easton and Trumbull.  Additionally, the Planning and Zoning Commission in both Easton and Trumbull would have to approve the project.  Finally, the project would likely face challenges in Connecticut Superior Court.  In short, there is a lengthy legal and regulatory process still ahead.

Explaining Connecticut’s 8-30g Housing Statute:

This proposal is being pursued under Connecticut’s 8-30g affordable housing statute. Under 8-30g, developers may override certain local zoning regulations in towns where less than 10% of housing qualifies as affordable.  It is my belief that Easton—and similar towns—should be exempt due to our size, rural character, and watershed status.  However, that is not the case until we can successfully change state law.

It is important to understand the challenge 8-30g creates for towns like ours.  Planning & Zoning can only deny an 8-30g project on very narrow grounds—specifically, if the development creates substantial health or safety risks that clearly outweigh the need for affordable housing, and if those concerns are backed by evidence.  General concerns about density, traffic, school impacts, or neighborhood character are not enough.  This makes legal appeals costly and difficult, but not impossible when the facts support the town’s case.

Role of First Selectman in Planning and Zoning Decisions:

It is also critical to clarify what a First Selectman can and cannot do. By law, the First Selectman cannot control the decisions of the Planning & Zoning Commission.  In Easton, the Planning & Zoning Commission is an independent body, and its decisions are final unless appealed to Superior Court by directly affected parties. Neither the First Selectman nor the Board of Selectmen can substitute their judgment for that of P&Z. Any claims to the contrary are misleading the public.  This is one of the many reasons that I strongly and successfully advocated for P&Z to become an elected position.  Easton residents should directly choose these representatives.

Democrats’ Record on Preservation:

Let me also highlight the Bindelglass-D’Addario record on preservation.  For years, some have claimed that Democrats want to “develop Easton.”  The facts show otherwise. In the last six years, we passed a land use ordinance that gave residents — not the Board of Selectmen — final control over the acquisition and sale of town land.  Alongside the Aspetuck Land Trust and the State of Connecticut, we preserved major properties such as South Park (now Kupinse Open Space), Slady Farm, Poindexter, and Lantern Hill.  We reconstituted the Land Acquisition Authority.  As a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, I voted for regulations to provide a conservation development option for builders that would preserve more open space and offer an alternative to 8-30g applications in Easton.  I also voted to allow accessory use dwellings—in particular the option to deed them affordable which helps Easton work towards an 8-30g moratorium.  Recently, when a statewide housing bill threatened to override local authority, our direct conversations with the Governor and outreach to his office helped secure his veto.  Our approach is action, not rhetoric: preserving land, working with partners, and protecting Easton’s rural character.

My Promise to Easton Residents:

I promise to fight high-density development like the proposed 8-30g Plum Tree project.  However, I will not lie to voters and say that as First Selectman I can stop anything from being built on Plum Tree or any other property.  Frankly, it is not in the powers of the First Selectman or the Board of Selectmen to do so.  Easton can and should make it as difficult and expensive as possible for any developer to try to build high-density development using the 8-30g statute.  I promise that I will fight like hell to ensure that we protect and preserve open space and ensure that Easton’s rural character remains intact.  Further, I will always be straightforward with Easton residents.

Nick D’Addario