"THISJUSTIN"

MISSION: To protect people and the wildlife from developments that are unsafe, that will pollute water, wetlands, cause health issues, or that harm animal habitats.

 

The Concerned Citizens Group of Stratford, Inc. (CCG) consists of people that care about sustaining the natural environment, preserving Roosevelt Forest, and protecting the character and history of a quiet community, where people co-exist with wildlife and nature. Once we lose these open spaces in the north end, you cannot get them back 

 

With the diligent efforts of the CCG attorney, The Honorable Attorney Joseph Kubic, the strong evidence provided by Civil Engineer Richard Ezyk (that gives his time pro bono to the CCG), and the commitment of people willing to sign petitions and attend public hearings where they can speak to town officials, the CCG has successfully opposed applications to build high-density developments on James Farm Road and Oronoque Lane that would require a zone change to an area zoned for one house on one acre of land.

 

Enjoyed by people for decades, the applications threaten damage to a unique, peaceful environment filled with tall trees, animals, and wetlands adjacent to Roosevelt Forest and is a stones throw from the Housatonic River.  Nature lovers, birders and fishermen alike, fear that the blasting, taking down trees, and the ripping out of boulders that have kept the land from sinking in this high water table area for years, will pollute the streams that run downhill to the Housatonic River where Eagles sore and nest along its edges to hunt and fish.

 

The CCG engineer, with over 40 years of experience, studies all the applications and provides concrete evidence at public hearings and points out the problems associated with blasting to lay in sewer and water lines which would most probably pollute water and wells in the community and displace a variety of animals and organisms from their breeding and feeding grounds. He has explained more than once that because of the number of huge trucks required and the number of runs (as many as 70 per day) made during construction, roads would be closed for at least six months which would surely lengthen response time of emergency services.

 

Another area of concern pointed out by the CT Audubon when visiting the north end, is that the Ospreys, the large, fish-eating birds that mate for life, live on a tower located on James Farm Road. During the spring “Return of the Ospreys” vigils are held across the state and people delight in watching these incredible and interesting birds.  Affectionately named “George and Gracie” by the north end residents, the concern is that the disturbance of the loud machinery, the blasting and other disruptions caused by construction, the birds will not feel comfortable to build their nest.  George and Grace may leave this nesting site never to return.

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These many points to oppose spot zoning are, without a doubt, more than enough for these types of applications to be denied but we should not forget yet another part of the story which is that this community is car dependent.  It lacks resources found in more logical areas where people live with access to stores, schools and other amenities within walking distance.

 

The goal as stated in Stratford‘s “Plan of Conservation and Development” is for Stratford’s land use and zoning to strike a balance between residential and industrial/commercial development that will foster economic vitality while preserving the character of neighborhoods and the community.  Building apartments and condos in this quiet community is certainly not in alignment with this goal.