$44M+ to New Canaan Library Since 1996 -Taxpayers Deserve A Voice

April 27, 2021

Dear Commissioner Goodwin and fellow P&Z Commissioners.

Thank you for the opportunity to share this letter in support of the 1913 library remaining in place (or in situ), and for your service to our town.

I have two overarching questions that I think need to be asked by the Commission of the applicant, the New Canaan Library (NCL):

1) Why did the New Canaan Library (NCL) develop a plan that is NOT in compliance with the full text of Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) and the full text of state issued Village District Design Guidelines? Why does the initial application not even acknowledge the existence of the Village District Design Guidelines that regulate and encourage the retention of historic properties? As stated in these design guidelines prominently displayed on the NC PZ web page: “These design guidelines strive to maintain and enhance New Canaan’s small-town way of life, rural character, historic value and scenic charm… Whenever possible, historically and/or architecturally significant structures… should be reused and incorporated into any development or redevelopment proposal.” As you know, 1913 falls in the district governed by these guidelines.

2) Why has the NCL NOT produced any documents or provided any evidence made available to the public over the past 16 months that show that the 1913 library needs to be demolished?

The burden of proof that 1913 is not worthy of being preserved in situ is on the applicant, the NCL.

After working with preservation experts on this question for over one year, no evidence – no documents, no studies, no definitive data has been shared by the applicant (NCL) that tip the scale in favor of demolishing this town landmark.

Instead, a campaign to persuade based on, hearsay, lack of unbiased expert opinions or opinions based on half-truth’s have permeated the public conversation, AND the stated reason keeps changing: donors don’t want it, too expensive, ruins the view, not consistent with programming etc. This greatly concerns me.

For example, when someone says the library is in bad condition and that is a reason to support demolition of 1913, this is simply not valid. 1913 is not the New Canaan Library. It is a 3600 square foot structure that exists in a 40,000-sf existing library complex. We must distinguish the difference between 1913 and the rest of the building. I ask that the Commission please distinguish this fact as well as other dissenting facts that 1913 supporters have compiled that directly contradict the NCL’s undocumented reasons cited for the needed demolition of our landmark library.

In response to some comments and suggestions made last night at the PZ meeting, if the library wants to go back to the drawing board and develop a new plan with the 1913 building fully incorporated into the design, all 3600 square feet of it, or pull out from their secret archives one of the 10 previous designs that fully incorporated 1913 into a new library design and reapply to this Commission with a new plan, I do not think the “preservationists” or 1913 supporters would object. In fact, that makes infinite sense but that’s their call and the purview of this Commission.

The 1913 building is historic, is 80 percent intact, will cost less than one million dollars to rehab according to Mr. Rothbart, is financially viable, has multiple identified uses, and has donors who have come forward offering money to support its preservation.

Our “Save New Canaan’s 1913 Library” petition has garnered almost 900 signatures in less than two weeks and over 200 letters written in support of saving the building. This public support along with the preponderance of evidence aligning the POCD and Village District Guidelines along with the merits of the 1913 Building presented by NCPA and Mr. Simpson demonstrates that there is NO REASON for a private entity to demolish the building which is in fact supported by New Canaan Taxpayers, in excess of 44 million dollars since 1996!

In addition, an alternate plan has been presented by Mr. Simpson which enhances the library’s proposed plan by providing underground drainage, accessible parking, ADA compliant surfaces for people of all abilities to enjoy outdoor activities and ample green space. When people say we need a green therefore we need to knock down 1913, again, this simply is not valid. Mr. Simpson has shown we can have both on the current site and this option is better for our community and less costly to the town who has been asked to grant 10 million dollars, loan off-site parking at the Center School lot and paid out 2.2 million dollars towards the library’s operating budget this year.

In sum, I support the NCPA’s plan and Mr. Simpson’s plan and believe they have made the case to retain 1913 in situ. They have provided the Commission with the preponderance of evidence that tips the scale in favor of conditioning that this application includes the retention of 1913 in the place where it stands today whether as a standalone building or part of a new design that FULLY incorporates 1913 into a new proposed library. The NCL proposal to publish a coffee table book with “Memories of the 1913 Library”, a plaque on Main Street or artist renderings of what used to be as an homage to 1913 are an unnecessary insult to our community.

In closing, I have developed a business plan for a standalone 1913 building that provides continued unrestricted access to the building. A plan that details revenue generation and a plan that addresses an unmet need in our community for a quiet public space away from hustle and bustle of the proposed very busy new New Canaan library, if built as outlined in this application, and provides a place for non-profit innovation and synergy. However, if the full, 3600 SF 1913 Building becomes incorporated into a new library design, I will happily put it into my archives.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully submitted,

Kimberly Norton