Letter to the Editor: Contrary to RTC Mailer Statement, Lyme Affordable Housing Commission (AHC) Member Says AHC Does Not Believe in High-density Housing

To the Editor:

In recently mailed campaign literature to Lyme voters promoting their candidates for First Selectman and Selectman, the Republican Town Committee made inaccurate and dishonest comments about Lyme Democrats and the Affordable Housing Commission (AHC).

Republicans are falsely claiming that the “Democratic chaired and controlled” AHC has “called for the creation of a ‘Cluster Overlay Zone’ to accommodate high-density housing in Lyme.”   

The AHC does not believe in high-density housing in Lyme. The Commission’s vision is to preserve Lyme’s rural character and maintain autonomy in land use decisions. Few specific decisions have been made yet because AHC has been waiting for Lyme to approve its 2025 Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD). To date, only a draft is available, but a public hearing will be held on November 12 with a final vote on November 17. (The report-writing subcommittee of the Planning and Zoning Commission is composed of two Republicans and two Democrats.)    

Various methods of creating affordable housing have been discussed by AHC. Nothing, with the exception of using accessory apartments built on existing lots (ADUs), already permitted in the zoning code, has been recommended. While AHC supports this concept, to be town-approved affordable housing units, they will have long-term deed restrictions, which owners have refused to accept.

Using an Overlay Zone will not create high-density housing in Lyme. An Overlay is a clearly defined zoning modification that can be used in a selected area for a desired purpose, such as affordable housing. It is applied over an existing zoning district. It is site specific and does not apply to the entire town. Republicans ought to understand what an overlay zone does and how it can benefit our town before they erroneously make accusations.

Why does Lyme have to consider using an overlay? After considering all the costs of a modest house, including: acquiring land, necessary infrastructure, construction, some landscaping, roadway access and dealing with common obstacles such as rock ledge and wetlands, the AHC concluded it is not possible to create affordable housing in Lyme without building more units on selected parcels of land than the current zoning allows. (This would only be done in a limited number of selected areas.)

Lyme’s PoCD respondents want affordable housing for Fire Department and Ambulance workers, teachers and older residents. 57% were 65 years or older.   

Incidentally, the low number of Republicans on the AHC could be remedied if more Republicans would volunteer to join the Affordable Housing Commission.         

Sincerely,

Phyllis Ross,
Lyme, CT.

Editor’s Note: The author is a member of Lyme’s Affordable Housing Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission.