Thursday, September 19, 2019
www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 22, Number 30
Affordable housing proposal rejected The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously rejected an affordable housing zone that a developer sought to allow construction of 11 multi-story buildings with 319 apartments.
Ava Barbagallo, 10, of Berlin, holds a goat at the Berlin Fair petting zoo on Friday, Sept. 13. The three-day event wrapped up Sunday. Photos by Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
As usual, volunteers helped make the fair a success That seems like a good time to remember that the late summer staple has reTens of thousands of visimained a volunteer-driven tors flock to the Berlin Fair event, giving dozens of loeach year and the event cal faith, civic and educamakes for some of the busi- tional organizations a est three days in town. On chance to participate – and Sunday evening, the Berlin is a significant source of Lions Club wrapped up its fundraising for them. Many 71st year of operations, familiar faces are seen beheld Sept. 13-15, and hind the grills and counters closed the gates at the serving up recipes perfectBeckley Road fairgrounds. ed in communal kitchens that are then transformed
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into eagerly-anticipated fairtime classics. For instance, Superintendent of Schools Brian Benigni prepared fried dough alongside the Upbeat crew. “Berlin is run by volunteers,” said Mayor Mark Kaczynski. “The greatest thing is that it’s a fundraiser … everybody has a booth here.” See Fair, A13
Since Berlin is under the 10 percent threshold of affordable housing prescribed by state housing statutes, the commission’s ability to reject the proposal was limited to issues “necessary to protect substantial public interests in health, safety or other matters which the commission may legally consider.” Residents who attended public hearings in June and July were also uniformly opposed to the changes. The PZC voted occurred on Sept. 11. "With respect even to the road safety, the road widths and the proposal in the text amendment allow for a
After that meeting, the commission directed Town Planner Marek Kozikowski to draft a written motion outlining its reasons for rejecting the amendments. The document describes Atkins Street and surrounding roads as “narrow, rural farm roads with no existing stormwater, sanitary sewer, or water infrastructures; no shoulders or sidewalks; poor road conditions; and difficult site lines. A development with the density proposed would have detrimental impacts on traffic in the area as supported by the significant amount testimony received by the commission from residents.” See Housing, A6
Sat, Sept 21, 2019 • 9:00am–12:00pm Klingberg Family Centers, 370 Linwood St, New Britain, CT
MOTORCA AGE R NT
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By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
The amendments proposed by Rio Vista Associates LLC would have rezoned 19 acres on Atkins Street, near the Middletown line.
building to be 20 feet off the street with no sidewalks on a narrow roadway that two cars have a hard enough time passing to begin with ... to me it is outrageous to think that the applicant thinks that that's a reasonable proposal," PZC Vice Chairperson Diane Jorsey said during the commission’s first round of deliberations on Aug. 22.
General: $10 • Seniors (65+): $8 • Children 12 & under: Free Spectator parking will be on Klingberg Family Center’s campus
KlingbergMotorcarSeries.org This is the final event of the season, featuring a traditional car show (pre-1979), a display of vintage supercars, and activities for all ages.
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Benefitting Children & Families R220904
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen