Citizens Sue P&Z Commission over MX Zone Change

Jennifer Proto and husband lawyer Jared Proto are suing the P&Z Commission and Acquisitions Holdings LLC over the MX Zone change which passed last month.

 Earlier in the month Jared Proto filed a FOIA request asking for a years worth of correspondence from the commission and department. BOE member founder and editor of the Middletown Eye Blog resident of downtown Ed McKeon, along with the Proto's lead citizens in protest of the zone change. McKeon is one of 7 village district residents who comprise Blue House LLC; the members of which bought a older home on College Street to fix up and sell. On his blogs and facebook pages, Ed McKeon solicits residents to send money to the legal fund set up by the Proto's to sue the commission.

After the vote, Director of Planning and Zoning William Warner issued a memo to clarify questions regarding alleged  historic properties affected by the zone change.

This week the Historic Preservation and Design Review Commission will review the design proposed by Centerplan Development LLC for the property at the corner of Washington St. Centerplan was the proponent of the MX zone change.

The notice of the suit can be read here:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1OYjxtLEgUwLWViN3h5NWg4ZDA/edit?usp=sharing

The FOIA Request to P&Z from Jared Proto:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1OYjxtLEgUwM0RKN2gyTGdfcW8/edit?usp=sharing

A Statement of Clarification about the MX Zone change and historic properties from Director of Planning and Zoning William Warner:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1OYjxtLEgUwSll6WmtXLXFrRzQ/edit?usp=sharing

Zoning Text Changes  and agenda: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/02/major-zone-changes-on-agenda-for-pz.html

Guest Blog: Fred Carrol: What's The Plan, Stan? More Thoughts On Centerscam

  Below is a guest blog from resident Fred Carrol. The essay reflects views and opinions not necessarily shared by the Insider staff, and is published as a courtesy to readers. "Dr." Fred Carrol has shared his thoughts with us many times before via guest blog- his last can be read here:  "Thoughts on Homelessness". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's The Plan, Stan? More Thoughts On Centerscam......Firstly, let me say that I only occasionally deal to any great extent with so called "facts", finding rumor, hearsay, gossip, speculation, and innuendo to be much more reliable tools for getting at "the truth" of a given situation. That said, let me state my basic premise for this blog and then dance with a few details in due time......My basic premise is that Centerplan's plan for "Developing" the area in question may in fact be the best thing that ever was about to happen to Middletown, CT., America, or the whole world, but THAT is NOT Centerscam's motivation for attempting to do this thing.......Centerscam [and all like minded parties] have one motive and one motive only.....and IT IS NOT TO BENEFIT MIDDLETOWN!.,.....okay?
Can we get that little detail straight? A [small] bunch of REALLY BIG DOPES has "a plan" to make some fast, stupid money and that, Ladies and Gentlemen is all there is to it.....okay? Does ANYONE [even N.E.A.T.] not see that?! Okay, great, so some figuratively and literally Big Dumb Dopes decides dat dey is gonna make some money, hey, you gotta problem wit dat? No, I didn't tink so, so dey starts da process of changing the rules so they don't have to break the rules [clever, eh?], and a bunch folks who "fear change" jump up [and down] about "Oh my gosh. you are going to ruin the neighborhood that I have been investing blood sweat and tears in, why?" and the answer comes back; "Shut up, we knows whats is best fuh everybody.....forget about it, eh?" So that is clearly where the the thing currently stands, sits, or whatever it is; now, for some speculation......NEAT gets an office in the new development and Mayor Dan gets no second term, having shown himself to be "More whore than Democrat" for his support of this idiocy......even as supporting Linda Mcwhatshername cost Republican Mayor Seb G. and Councilman Davis B. their respective Offices [or "job" as it's regarded around these parts].

Thank You Fred Carroll

Letter to the Editor: Councilwoman Weighs in on Potential MX Zone Change

Below is a letter to the editor sent in by Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski. The opinions shared are not necessarily those of the Insider staff and it is republished as a courtesy to readers.
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Opinion:  Deborah Kleckowski
Disclosure:  Member of the Middletown Common Council/Former Planning and Zoning Commissioner

Development vs. Neighborhoods

I was asked to submit an opinion piece (by the Middletown Eye) on the highly charged debate of development on High Street to Washington Street.  This is my opinion and is not reflective of any other member of the Republican Party specifically or the Common Council in general. 

I am also sending this as a letter to the editor to the Middletown Insider blog.


There has been much discussion, even heated debate, over the proposed text change from residential zone to mixed-use commercial.  Simply, residents of the neighborhood do not want the proposed text change to allow for commercial development.   A myriad of reasons have been stated from aesthetics, to traffic and even a comparison of taxes to the city of homes versus businesses. Depending upon which side of the argument you support each side has compelling components of their point of view.

The public should be heard on this matter, as with all matters that affect the city.  Both sides need to communicate their concerns.  Then it is up to the Planning and Zoning Commissioners to evaluate the information brought forward and to make a decision.  From first-hand experience I can tell you it is never easy to vote on highly charged matters.  However, I have no doubt that the Commissioners will have thoughtful deliberation and vote in accordance with the Constitution and the rules and regulations set forth by the Plan of Conservation and Development, state statutes and local ordinances.

In my opinion, I suggest that the code remain virtually the same but tweaked. No change in the text will allow for projects to come forward and be approved by “Special Exception”. “Special Exceptions” do have a dilemma, if the project meets the zoning criteria it is difficult to deny a “Special Exception”.  Therefore, I suspect, and agree, that a compromise that addresses the concerns of the neighborhood and the business community will be the final course of action.  A compromise to include parameters such as two-stories, 100 ft. setback, parking in the rear etc. can be applied to the specific area in question (High Street to Washington Street). I do firmly believe that the City should linked by sidewalks allowing easy walking access from downtown to Goodwill (as well as downtown to Stop and Shop).  In addition the Planning and Zoning Commission there is the Design Review Commission which can ensure that any development be appropriate to the architecture and “culture” of the neighborhood. Any project will have to undergo “checks and balances” from elected officials, City staff, volunteer commission and of course, the public.  
The Planning and Zoning Commission has a difficult decision to make.  Balancing business and development with the desires of a community or segment of a community is not an easy task.  Remember, elected officials do want what is best for the community; they too live here.  Decisions often entail compromise.  The community should be respectful of the decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  No projects have been brought forward; this vote is for a text change.

The next meeting is March 13, 2013 at 7pm in the Council Chambers.  I believe public comment has concluded and the deliberation of this agenda item will occur.  I encourage members of the community to attend the meeting or watch the meeting on Channel 15 (cable).

Village People Protest Development on Washington Street

Yesterday a group of village district citizens lead by activist blogger and Board of Education member
Ed McKeon used cross walks for 1 hour during rush hour from approximately 4:30 -5:30 pm at the corner of High and Washington Streets. The media is reporting the group wanted to create gridlock to show what they feel will be the potential impact on traffic if a proposed text amendment to the to the MX zone is passed by Planning and Zoning on Wednesday March 13, 2013. The text amendment allows for additional uses. Protestors carried signs with slogans like "No Wrecking Ball No Strip Mall","Kiss this House Goodbye", and "Mayor Drew You Bet On the Wrong Horse." One sign carried the phone number for Mayor Drew's office encouraging drivers to call and express their frustration. Four media outlets including a tv station covered the event, including Patch: http://middletown-ct.patch.com/articles/centerplan-find-other-land#photo-13639823
See all links below for more information and proposed text changes in their entirety at the City of Middletown website:

Planning and Zoning Commission
Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 7:00 PM, Council Chambers
Agenda
Public Hearing Notice
       Item 6.1 Text Amendment Section 44.08.45 & 60.02.41 (Mixed Use Zone)
       Item 6.1 Staff Comments- Part 1
       Item 6.1 Staff Comments- Part 2
       Item 6.1 Staff Comments- Part 3
       Item 6.2 Text Amendment Section 30.02 (Institutional Development Zone)
       Item 6.2 Staff Comments

Through the Looking Glass an alternate view of Wednesday's P/Z Meeting -Part 1

Who are the opponents?

Liberal hypocrisy at it's finest. 170 College St.

Introduction: As most of you know, a boat load of people piled into and around city hall on February 27, 2013 to voice opposition to MX Zoning change proposed by Robert Landino, a local developer who plans to bring a Starbucks, Chipotle and other stores to Middletown if the zone change is granted by the Democrat majority Planning and Zoning board in town. At one point, Wesleyan University, who is selling the land, had their green non-corporate eye on bringing their student bookstore to the parcel of land diagonal from St. Sebastian's Church. Acting as if they were Yankee reliever Mariano Riveria, who is usually brought into a game in the late innings to save the day, Wesleyan pulled their plans for the bookstore from Landino's plans. It appeared that Wesleyan saved the day, by pulling their bookstore interest from project.

Guess what? They are still selling the properties; they are still making a truckload of money off the deal if and when it goes through.

Why no one sees that Wesleyan partially caused this problem?
Imagine the carport at the Starbucks with their idling cars putting toxins in the air. Who would be really responsible? Can it be that a University that prides itself on being pro-environment and ant-establishment has sold out to the man? (Research project: Why did Wesleyan buy a ton of properties in the early 1990s, let them go to pot and now hope to flip them to the highest bidder?) Can you say liberal greed?

Below is part one in a series that  takes a look at rare and unmentioned elements of this ongoing saga.


Where was the Mayor?* (He doesn't care, he knows Democrats won't vote him out!)

Mayor Daniel T. Drew is 100% behind this plan! Plain and simple, although his earlier statement to The Wesleyan Argus waffled on his position when he stated:

"“On the most basic level, for me to support something that would go there it would have to be something that is aesthetically harmonious with the rest of the streetscape and the use would have to fit well into downtown and complement what else is there.”

His position changed drastically nearly a week later, when William Warner, Middletown's Director of Planning and Zoning read a letter that stated that Drew was in full support of the Landino's proposal because of "the trumpeted the opportunities an open door would bring (to the city)".

This statement was read to the audience over the microphone at Wednesday's meeting, but not one member of the pubic showed any verbal disapproval of the mayor's position. (When former Mayor Seb Gulinao spoke about his trust in the P/Z committee and the possibilities this new zoning code could offer the town, right on cue a member of the village district stood up and voiced disapproval) Let's get this straight, nobody voices opinions against Drew's (Democrat) stance, but they are against Guliano's (Republican) stance. Can you say partisan?

In this case Mayor Drew is for your enemy! He is in favor of letting Starbucks, Chipotle, etc. build on Washington Street. Yet, those who spoke after Warner read the Mayor's letter, made a point not to make any snarky remarks towards Drew or his position. Mmm, they took shots at Landino, Guiliano and Wilson? Why not take on Drew, the city chief executive who likes to back the Mayormobile into his stall at city hall? Is it because he's a Democrat? Deep down inside, those Dems who are taking the business approach to the decision may be ignored but not ridiculed. (Jeff Bianco, a local architect, who can potentially make a ton of money off the project, has been given a free pass by his liberal village friends. Why is this?)

Democrat and local artist, Dave Schultz is the exception to this rule when he expressed anger toward Drew and stated that he will not vote for him in the future. Good job Dave!

Where was Quentin Phipps? Phipps, the current town treasurer who sits on two youth agencies and is the head of the city's Downtown Mainstreet District was not present at one of the biggest and vital meetings that took  place in town. Isn't this quite odd for a guy that prides himself on attending almost every sub-committee in the city, and now blows off something that would have a huge impact on the town. Phipps, who takes his marching orders from Daniel T. Drew, most likely avoided the hostile crowds and sat it out due to creative differences, interestingly enough The Middletown Eye, choose not to mention, Phipps convenient no show in their March 5, 2013 article entitled: You Can't Tell the Players without a Program. Surely, it would make sense for Phipps to be at this meeting wouldn't it? Truth: Quentin Phipps is a Democrat, and like the Mayor, they both secretly joke about the fact that no matter what happens, the village district will not vote in a Republican! (Source: The Cantina)

Today on his blog the MiddletownEye Ed McKeon posted a piece calling out those who spoke in favor of the zoning text change as not fully disclosing their full relationships to one another.
Well, in that case here are  facts McKeon failed to mention.

Extra Credit: What members of the village district who openly opposed Bob Landino and his plans have formed an LLC an are actively flipping north end homes? Mmm, isn't that strange! It's not okay for Bob Landino to make money off the north end, but it is okay for us. Liberal hypocrisy at it's finest. Is Landino not advocating urban renewal?

Blue House LLC Records (Page 1 or 7) Town Offices

Do as I say Not as I do. Village residents Scott Kessel, Rani Arbo, Catherine Johnson, Mary Alice Haddad, Lucy McMillian, Edward McKeon, Stephen Smith, and Monica Belyea formed Blue House LLC in 2010 to fix up and flip for potential profit the  multi family house at 170 Washington Street. In 2011,  Blue House LLC supposedly outbid the Connection Inc. The Connection Inc is a non profit, affiliated with group and half way homes through out town. This dormitory style property could have made an ideal group or half way house. While these liberals love to brag about the non profits they support, could it be their actions make it appear that they don't want these types of "things" in their back yard?  By Blue House LLC converting the former dormitory into a two family house, it makes the property less desirable from this happening. Most of the residents listed spoke out against the zoning change. They claimed to have rescued a blighted property from being acquired by a slum lord; is Landino not doing the same? Are those opposed to the text change protecting the the neighborhood or their future projects and profits?  Other outspoken villagers against future development are no stranger to development themselves. In the 1970's Community Health Center (CHC) founder Mark Masselli and and Wesleyan alum now Colorado governor John Hickenlooper (D) bought up at rock bottom prices historic properties on Main Street and in the north end.  The duo formed various corporations such as Hilda Associates LLC to purchase the properties.Why use an alternative llc? To perhaps not raise attention from those who might have criticized the future development of those properties into non commercial and untaxable uses? Later, when the  CHC acquired these properties and used them to house Community Health Center facilities and doctors' offices. Now there are over 100 CHC locations around the state many of which are housed in public schools. The CHC consolidated into a brand new building demolishing several historic multi family houses  to the north to build its parking lot. Where was the outcry then? What will happen to all the store fronts the CHC used to occupy? If the CHC holds on to them, then the rent will certainly be profitable, correct? Liberals make money too, just have an issue when others want to make some also.  The CHC receives  public money and from this Maselli, like many other CEO's of a non profits- despite the wonderful things the charitable org does for those without money - he too draws salary. Are Landino and Masselli that different both being entrepreneurs making personal profit?   Masselli's wife is Jennifer Alexander founder of KidCity - the non profit, ( unlike the CHC, KidCity is  not reliant on government grants), children's museum on Washtington Street. Ed McKeon and Jennifer Alexander co founded the Middletown Eye blog. Alexander had a historic convent converted and moved to house half of the museum. Alexander and Masselli were given honorary doctorates from Wesleyan for their work in the community which is praised by many as "urban renewal" of the north end. Alexander spoke out against the recent zoning text change allowing more development in the area. Why does McKeon leave this out of his essay if there is nothing wrong with these facts?

Ed really is for Ed. 

 McKeon critizes political associations he claims are the basis for support, yet fails paint a clear picture.  McKeon spoke out against those who said because Chief McMahon didn't worship or live enough of the week in Middletown he should not be police chief, yet in his own article, McKeon casually mentions City Planner William Warner lives in Middlefield in a blatant attempt to question his professionalism. Also in his essay McKeon rails against Attorney Wilson and his support of Mayor Giuliano, and draws a shaky conclusion that this is why Giuliano spoke in favor of the text change.
 To McKeon it matters as who each player has supported politically for some reason. If this is the case why does McKeon fail to mention Attor.Wilson also contributed to Democrat Susan Bysiewicz's various campaigns? Why does McKeon fail to s that some who spoke out were contributors to defamed Democratic candidate Chris Donovan? Some might think that's not d something to be too proud of.  Why does McKeon fail to mention that Wesleyan Green Party chair  Ross Levin spoke against the development?  Why does McKeon fail to mention that Democratic Town Committee member and WesDem vice president, former Malloy intern & shoe fortune heir Ben Florsheim  who helped to get local Democrats elected in the past 2 election cycles had his friend and fellow WesDem Gabriela DeGolia  read a statement against the development?  Why call out some but not others? None of this matters, but if apparently it does to Ed4Ed, let's get it all the political associates of those at the meeting out in the open.

Guest Blog: Fred Carrol:City Government Is A Whore

Local activist

Guest Blogger Fred Carrol writes his thoughts about proposed zoning changes to the MX and ID zones and his thoughts on the development at the corner of Washington & Pearl Streets being proposed by Centerplan Development. All opinions of guest bloggers are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Insider staff. 
To learn more about Carrol read previously guest essays. Available here:http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/12/guest-blog-fred-carroll-on-washington.html   and
http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/09/guest-blog-loitering-wars-update-by.html 
 In his own words:
"It occurs to me that certain elements in Middletown Government ARE A WHORE FOR CENTERPLAN.....[and at least one community action group....who are more of a "community act stunned" group, but of course it's easy to criticize]." Thus reads a recent Face Book post by me which prompted the Middletown Insider to solicit for an essay on the subject, and so here it is. Now, as a minimalist I would think it quite sufficient to simply describe the pertinent parties as whores, call Centerplan out on being slippery, slimy liars and, after apologizing for "stating the obvious" and "telling everyone what they already know" call the deal done. But there's a catch, you see, as is so often the case, no one is crazy enough to say what "everybody knows".

Which is to say there's no shortage of well informed, intelligent, principled citizens in Middletown, but for the most part everybody just has too much to lose by telling the truth as they know it. And of course there's certainly no shortage of folks who are "crazy enough" to say or do absolutely anything, but for the most part those people don't particularly know or care about Centerplan or who's who and what's what in Middletown Government, at least not until their Drug Dealer gets a Loitering Ticket, and then suddenly half the North End decide to get involved in "community activism"....so it falls to me, Dr. Freddy H. Carroll, and I'm not even a real "Doctor"! Yeah, sober, "invested" people who care have to much to lose, and the Less To Lose Crowd basically don't care about anything except where their next loose cigarette and lukewarm meal is coming from.....and of course they know both of those things and so don't care about much else, certainly not the fact that their government is selling their city CHEAP.....And that's it, "the City" just can't be generous enough with some "entities" at the expense of others, others meaning basically "the little people". "Well Fred", I can almost hear someone say, "That's some tough talk, of course you have the facts to back all that up, right?"

No, I have no facts, you couldn't "prove" or "disprove" anything by me, but there are plenty of people who could substantiate my statements short of using such explicit language as "whore" and "liar"; and when I see these people sit at a "community action group" meeting with their hand in the air for half an hour and then get three minutes in which to make their every point or not get even three minutes to take Centerplan and their peanut gallery of Bill and Peter to task, I say to myself; "Somebody has to speak truth to power here, hear?"

So in closing, if you want to convince me that I'm wrong about whores and liars let me see you convince Ed McKeon or Catherine Johnson in a fair debate and then I'll reconsider my choice of words, but until then I'll call Middletown Government a whore and Centerplan a smarmy liar all day every day.....

Fred Carrol

Guest blog: Fred Carroll on Washington St. Development

Last week guest blogger local Fred Carroll went to  N.E.A.T.'s monthly meeting. At the meeting the developer's from Centerplan Inc. presented their vision for the proposed development on Washington & High Street across from Pearl Street which has been generating much controversy. The development is supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Dan Drew ( who even held a press conference to show his excitement). The development is opposed by some local community members such as BOE member and Middletown Eye blog founder Ed. McKeon who has blogged quite a bit on the subject and started a facebook page: No Wrecking Ball No Strip Mall.
Such a proposed development, originally backed by Wesleyan University as a site for a new campus bookstore, would require a change in zoning to allow such a commercial endeavor.  The Insider recently covered the topic in an earlier piece: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/11/when-village-people-fight-bianco-vs.html

Drew, notably absent from the N.E.A.T. meeting.

Now that Wesleyan has backed out of supporting the deal, the Insider has observed Mayor Drew doing the "Denial   Dance " shuffle as he tried to distance himself from his first statements of support- similar to what he did when he first did not support the Senior Center at Eckersley Hall project. When seniors turned out in full force to support the Eckersley Hall project, Drew did a 180 as to not loose face or the key voting block. Drew told the media last week he only supported the Centerplan project when Wesleyan backed it. Hmm so Wesleyan University developing a controversial area its ok, but someone else doing it  not so? Or is it that many key community members, particularly Democrats who represent a substantial voting block, have shown they oppose this plan and you are worried of loosing support? This truly begs the question, when this mayor supports or does not support something, is it in Middletown's best interest or his own?? Open mouth and insert foot Dan.
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In Fred Carroll's own words:

So just a few weeks ago word got around that Wesleyan was planning to put a big box book store at about Washington and Pearl, here in Middletown. As usually happens when something really stupid comes down the pike some righteous citizens rallied, raised their voices and said; "Now hold on just a cotton pickin' minute there, Pilgrim..."...and like an actual equine, perhaps startled by an autistic woodchuck standing blithely in the middle of the path, the Horse Of Progress reared back on it's hind legs, verily throwing off it's rider-Wesleyan. Where the thing stands now is; no Wesleyan, no bookstore, and not necessarily even a box, but if there is a box built, it will be a very well built box, as this is a premier developer, according to Peter Harding, who apparently knows a thing or two about box building.......And while I have your attention, these N.E.A.T. meetings are worse than silly-somebody has to say it!