Open Letter: Reasons to Reject "new" New Canaan Library Plan

Dear Chairman Goodwin and Commissioners,

I write to urge the Commission to deny the New Canaan Library (NCL) application to change New Canaan’s zoning regulations by creating a “spot” zone (the “quasi-public” Library Overlay Zone) for a special interest private organization. The NCL is a private organization and as such spot zoning would establish a precedent of creating special zoning for a private organization. Any proposed library expansion and parking should be evaluated within the current Zoning regulations. A “spot” zoning “overlay zone” written specifically to accommodate the proposed NC library plan circumvents existing zoning regulations and should not be permitted.

I support saving our historic landmark Library at the corner of Main and Cherry Street and also urge the Commission to deny the application of NCL to construct a new library as presently designed.

The demolition of the 1913 Library building is unacceptable.

I have many concerns about the proposed library application but among them the so called private-public partnership and the “giving” of public land to a so-called private entity (and in return for no comparable exchange). I also have concerns about the $10 million dollar outright “gift” with little Town oversite of construction budgets, transparent funding, and future operating costs.

Among my other concerns are the following:

1. P & Z regulations require adequate parking be included in all new construction. As a private entity the NCL must provide new parking spaces. The proposed parking (Center School lot) and crossing does not comply with current zoning regulations and is not safe for children, elderly, or individuals with disabilities crossing a two-way busy cross-through (short-cut) street. On this issue alone the application should be denied.

2. The traffic consultant did not perform studies during non-Covid times.

3. The application does not address the previously negotiated arrangement with AC Autobody for parking spaces immediate to their location so that they do not park vehicles on East Maple Street. Trucks were previous parked on East Maple that endangered pedestrians, children, and obstructed sightlines at the intersection East Maple and Main.

4. The contribution of public land to the library for parking is worth far more than $10,000 per year the Town has agreed to (and we, the taxpayers ultimately pay the majority of annual library operation cost). Something more should be required in return.

5. The Village District and NC Plan of Conservation and Development as well as Connecticut Statute for Village District 8-2J should be respected and observed.

I respectfully request that that the current Library application, as submitted, be denied and that any forthcoming approvals be contingent on the repurposing and preservation of 1913 in its current location and that parking and safety be addressed and comply with current zoning regulations.

Respectfully,

John Cromwell