CITY OF DANBURY
 Committee on Housing and Community Development
 155 Deer Hill Avenue
 Danbury , Connecticut 06810

Minutes of November 1, 2007

Present: Scalzo, Zaborowski, Lemme, Barrows, Elpern

The meeting of the Committee on Housing and Community Development of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in Danbury City Hall, Planning and Zoning Department conference room, 1st floor on November 1, 2007. Chairperson Paul Scalzo called the meeting to order at 2:12pm.

All present members reviewed the minutes of October 4, 2007. A motion to accept the minutes was made by G. Lemme, seconded by D. Elpern, passed unanimously.

Chairperson P. Scalzo addressed the agenda. Mr. Scalzo reported that the DaSilva brothers, Joe and Gus, had finalized the properties that they owned and were now responsible for their own property inventory. Mr. Joseph DaSilva is interested in developing his property and this committee could assist him in his endeavors.

Discussion entailed the properties that Joe owns on both Library Place and Hospital Avenue. Mr. DaSilva would like to develop those pieces of property with assistance from the City and endorsement from this Committee and perhaps the Housing Partnership to provide affordable housing to meet the needs of the community.

Mr. Elpern discussed the possibilities of Mr. DaSilva signing an agreement with Western Connecticut State University utilizing the parking garage in response to providing student housing on his Hospital Avenue properties. Discussion was also made with the possibility of Mr. DaSilva signing an agreement with the CITY OF DANBURY utilizing the new parking garage on Library Place to provide senior housing on his properties located next to the garage.

Continuing on the agenda, Mr. Scalzo indicated that Joan Carty would be our guest speaker for the December 6th meeting, and perhaps Mr. Joe DaSilva could be our guest speaker for the January meeting. All members were in agreement with the guests for our next 2 meetings.

Questions were raised on MCCA property on the corner of Larson Drive and Old Ridgebury Road and also on the 28 affordable housing units on Scuppo Road. Activities have started on Larson Drive as indicated in a news article in the News-Times. The neighbors are upset that Mr. Sullivan did not contact the surrounding neighborhoods on his proposal with the property.

Mr. Elpern requested more information on the feasibility study that the Non-Profit Development Corporation has agreed to fund for the Danbury Housing Partnership. Mr. Elpern is concerned that the survey would only deal/focus with the Police Station for senior housing opportunities. Mr. Elpern would like the Housing Partnership to request that the survey should be expanded to encompass the entire community at large and gather enough data that would provide vital information on the housing needs for the City of Danbury. HVECO has a study on the regions housing needs and the committee should look into this report.

Question was asked on whether the City can have resident restrictions on housing built within the community. Corporation Counsel will have to be contacted for legal interpretation.

Chairperson Scalzo indicated that downtown Danbury will see the building of approximately 582 units. The committee as a whole should study this housing project in more detail regarding cost of the project, selling of the units, incentives for the developer, etc. The committee should consider inviting Mr. Dan Bertrum to one of our future meetings.

On the updating of the 10 Year Plan, Mr. Scalzo would like to provide a standard sheet for this committee to work off of regarding discussions on property development. We can discuss this in further detail at future meetings. Ms. Carty will be speaking at the next scheduled committee meeting scheduled for December 6, 2007. Come prepared with questions for her. January meeting guest speaker will be Joe DaSilva.

A motion to adjourn was made by D. Elpern, seconded by C. Barrows, passed unanimously.