Committee on Housing and Community Development

155 Deer Hill Avenue

Danbury , Connecticut 06810

Minutes for August 7, 2008

Present: Scalzo, Barrows, Elpern, Zaborowski

Absent: Lemme

Guests: Attorney Andrew Buzzi, Jr., Monika Gronlund, Carolyn Sistrunk

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 August 7, 2008. Chairman Scalzo called the meeting to order at 2:06 pm. Chairman Scalzo indicated to the Committee that the Housing Data Sheet is being compiled and should be completed and presented to the membership by the November meeting. More information will follow at the next scheduled monthly meeting.

A motion to accept the minutes of June 5, 2008 was made by C. Barrows, seconded by D. Elpern, passed unanimously and placed on file. There was no meeting scheduled for the Committee in July.

Guest speaker Attorney Andrew Buzzi and property manager Monika Gronlund made a presentation on properties located on Division Street. These are family owned properties that Attorney Buzzi would like to develop that would improve Wooster Village and bring upscale housing to an already improving neighborhood. Attorney Buzzi has been in direct contact with the City of Danbury Planning and Zoning Departments to indicate how the properties could be legally utilized and the necessary protocol involving the development of the properties. Attorney Buzzi has indicated his initial assistance and recommendation of the property for Veteran Housing and would like to receive support from this Committee and that of the Danbury Housing Partnership.

Due to the layout of the properties, and the middle property not owned by the Buzzi family, dividing properties may include retail/commercial combined with rental housing. Different scenarios were provided to the Housing Committee. Changes to regulations that effect zoning districts may pose a problem with this development site. Attorney Buzzi has looked into a proposal of development of 24 units/apartments, with 3 floors of 8 apartments and the bottom floor being retail.

An artist rendition of the property development was provided to the Committee. The question proposed to the Housing and Community Development Committee from Attorney Buzzi is “what can the City of Danbury do with the zoning regulations to allow mix use development?” Attorney Buzzi would like to develop the properties on Division Street, but the funding/financial costs need to support and cover the renovations and/or new construction in the final production of this proposed affordable housing site.

The Housing Committee will inquire further into the zoning restrictions and the possibility of offering suggestions/recommendations to the property owner. This property development will be discussed further in the September meeting.

There was no further business to address. A motion to adjourn was made by D. Elpern, seconded by C. Barrows, passed unanimously. The next scheduled meeting of the Housing and Community Development Committee will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2008.